Nitya Kathiravan
Class of 2026Somerset, New Jersey
About
**Nitya Kathiravan** is a high school student at Rutgers Preparatory School. She is currently a research assistant for a post-doctoral fellow in analyzing social thermoregulatory behavior at New Jersey Medical School. Her research focus is the social determinants/factors that play a role in increasing or decreasing the development of neurological disease (specifically Alzheimer's). She is also a member of the American Red Cross's Regional Executive Board and has received awards for outstanding community service in this position. She is a member of the Tri-M National Honor Society for Choral music.Projects
- "The Role of Social Determinants on the Development of Alzheimer's" with mentor Molly (Jan. 19, 2025)
Project Portfolio
The Role of Social Determinants on the Development of Alzheimer's
Started Jan. 10, 2025
Abstract or project description
This literature review examines the influence of Social Determinants of Health (SDOHs) on the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). While the biological mechanisms involving amyloid-beta and tau protein aggregation are the main factors contributing to AD development, SDOHs also play a significant role. This review analyzed 25 studies on how SDOHs affect AD risk and development. SDOHs were categorized into groups by macrosystem, microsystem, mesosystem, and chronosystem and each system was reviewed separately and compared. The findings demonstrate that factors such as socioeconomic status, social network size, built environment, education, occupation, cognitive reserve, physical activity, and mental activity are directly linked to AD incidence. The discussion expands on these connections and suggests directions for future investigations, aiming to enhance understanding of the relationship between SDOHs and AD development.