Sophia Dettweiler
International Community SchoolClass of 2022Bellevue, WA
About
Hello! My name is Sophia and I am a current senior at International Community School in Kirkland, Washington. I love learning about neuroscience, biology, and medicine, and hope to someday become a physician. I also enjoy hiking, baking, reading mystery novels, and spending time with my family, friends, and dogs. I'd love to share my neuroscience research project with you! I will be presenting my project on Saturday, September 18. If you would like to attend, please register at the link above.Projects
- "Factors Associated with Atypical Presentations of Alzheimer’s Disease" with mentor Rachel (Aug. 29, 2021)
Sophia's Symposium Presentation
Project Portfolio
Factors Associated with Atypical Presentations of Alzheimer’s Disease
Started June 13, 2021
Abstract or project description
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. However, the presence of AD in the brain does not necessarily mean that someone will develop dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), which is characterized by amnestic memory impairment. Sometimes, patients with AD develop progressive language impairment, which is known as primary progressive aphasia (PPA). One relatively newer area of research is “SuperAgers,” who are individuals ≥80 years of age who have memory performance of those in their 50s and 60s, even if AD is present in their brains.
How can AD in the brain manifest as such distinct clinical presentations, including DAT, PPA, and SuperAging? The exact mechanisms are unknown; however, prior research has uncovered potential contributory factors as they relate to neuroanatomical (e.g., atrophy of language regions), pathological (e.g., neurofibrillary tangles in the left hemisphere), and lifestyle differences (e.g., socialization). This project will briefly synthesize the literature as it relates to AD, associated clinical presentations, and contributory factors.