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Alzheimer’s Prediction May Be Found in Writing Tests

DESCRIPTION

The fields of Neurology and Psychology are moving forward on cutting edge research in the understanding of several diseases that include, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia.  The hope is to be able to predict the diseases long before  the manifest so that therapies can be developed.  “Is it possible to predict who will develop Alzheimer’s disease simply by looking at writing patterns years before there are symptoms?  According to a new study by IBM researchers, the answer is yes.  And, they and others say that Alzheimer’s is just the beginning. People with a wide variety of neurological illnesses have distinctive language patterns that, investigators suspect, may serve as early warning signs of their diseases.”  This fascinating article provides details of the empirical studies used to explore the predictablity of the disease onset.  Psychologists are other professionals are at the forefront of the research.   An understanding of the neurological basis of behavior is vital.    This article can be used in conjunction with the chapters on the brain, nervous system, organic brain disorders, and later adult development.

SOURCE

New York Times,  February 1, 2021, by Gina Kolata

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/01/health/alzheimers-prediction-speech.html?smid=em-share

(Tiny URL)  https://tinyurl.com/ychcu4x9

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

•First, what are dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?

•Why is it important to explore ways of predicting these diseases before they manifest?  How would a Psychologist be involved in the research?

•The article describes several studies:  describe one that shows promise of the predictability of the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.

•What is the promise of using technology (smart phones for example) to aid the researchers in studying the disease?