Alzheimer’s disease

Select a Topic for Your Critical Review

Select the topic for your Critical Review, which is due in Week Six, and briefly analyze its key features and pathophysiology.
You may select from any of the following psychiatric disorders:
  • schizophrenia (or schizotypal disorders),
  • bipolar disorder,
  • depression,
  • any of the anxiety disorders,
  • PTSD,
  • chronic pain disorders,
  • Alzheimer’s disease,
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • other movement disorder,
  • seizures,
  • ADD/ADHD,
  • autism,
  • OCD,
  • any personality disorder,
  • brain trauma,
  • stroke,
  • encephalitis,
  • meningitis,
  • or migraines.
Other topics may be chosen, with approval of your instructor.
Other topics may be considered but require prior approval by the instructor.
However, addiction is not the emphasis of the course.
Critical Reviews focusing on addiction, or drugs of addiction, will not be accepted.
Your paper must focus on drug treatment and not on other modes of treatment.
Papers that discuss psychotherapy, other than in passing, will not be given credit.
Ask your instructor for clarification.
Explain your chosen psychiatric disorder in terms of neurotransmitter and receptor theories.
Describe the symptomology of the disorder and its relationship with the neurotransmitters involved.
Discuss the anatomic changes seen with the disorder.
Explain the relationship between neurotransmitter and anatomic features and resultant symptoms.
Summarize the interaction(s) between the behavioral, neuroanatomical, and neurotransmitter changes seen within the selected disorder.
The paper:
  • Must be three double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a separate title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • Must use at least three peer-reviewed sources from the Ashford University Library. These may include the required articles for the assignment.
  • Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  • Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

 

Answer preview:

Critical Review of the Alzheimer’s Disease

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain, which is marked by a decline in an individual’s memory, as well as reasoning and thinking skills.

The disease is associated with the death of brain cells, which results in a decline in the size and mass of the brain (The Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).

Because of the shrinking of the brain, the vast majority of brain functions are affected. Alzheimer’s disease is common among ageing individuals, but it is also seen in young people.

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