For this project, I created a map to explain all the different types of cognitive learning. Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning and Social learning are all explained in detail and contain examples and experiments a long with who created them. This was best done in a map to show the visual side of it and attract the viewer.
Dementia- short essay
This research paper was done on Dementia. We were studying memory in class and I chose dementia because it has always interested me. We learned how to do in text citations as well to make it more professional.
Dementia
Dementia is a general term for a downfall in mental ability serious enough to interfere with daily life. It is not a specific disease, it’s a universal term that describes a wide range of symptoms that are associated with a decline in memory or any other thinking skill that’s bad enough to disable a person's ability to perform everyday activities (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). It can be caused by brain diseases or injury to the brain and can be marked by personality changes, memory disorders, and impaired reasoning (Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 2017). Some types of Dementia include: Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy bodies( DLB), Mixed Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Normal pressure hydrocephalus, Huntington’s disease and Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (i have alzheimer’s, 2017). Alzheimer’s disease makes up 60-80% of cases while Vascular Dementia, which can occur after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type (Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, 2017).
With Alzheimer's being the most popular form of dementia, many clinical studies focus on finding better ways to diagnose this disease (especially in the early stages) (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).Many of these studies are hopeful to lead to an easy to apply method that allows physicians to diagnose a person that is at risk for the disease and to start treatment as soon as possible, even before symptoms appear (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). Treatments for Alzheimer’s like this do not exist yet but are hopeful in the future, in time to prevent the development of dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). Doctors use diagnostic studies which are crucial to the advancement of Alzheimer’s research. These studies identify which people to treat and provide the doctors with a way that they can track whether a treatment is working (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).
Currently, the only drug therapies are only able to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers and scientist are hopeful that treatments that can stop or slow Alzheimer’s are in the near future (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). Scientists are finding more and more about Alzheimer-related alterations in the brain, the chance of finding a treatment to prevent or reverse these alterations gets greater (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017). Many new developments in the research have been made. Imaging techniques that allow scientists to see the changes in the brain can indicate Alzheimer’s earlier, Markers in blood and cerebrospinal fluid have been found to signal Alzheimer’s changes in the brain, and advances in genetic research helps identify people who are in more risk for developing the disease (Alzheimer’s Association, 2017).
Dementia is a good topic to research if you are learning about memory. Your recent memory can be disrupted, the ability to learn and recall certain or all information is compromised. It can also disrupt your memory to write or speak or understand written or spoken words (Aging, Memory Loss and Dementia: What’s the Difference?, 2017). The ability to understand or use symbols, maps, images is compromised as well and you aren’t able to plan, reason or solve problems like your previous memories enable you to do (Aging, Memory Loss and Dementia: What’s the Difference?, 2017). This disease completely alters your brain and memories and can basically turn you into a whole new person, as you forget your entire life (Aging, Memory Loss and Dementia: What’s the Difference?, 2017).
A certain product of metabolism that comes from fasting or from eating very high fat diets called Ketones can improve cognition in the case of mild dementia. Evidence suggests that ketones can be burned more efficiently with few waste products, which keeps the stress off the damaged brain cells. The physician Mary Newport heard of this theory and decided to apply it to her husband who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s years ago. She put him on the ketogenic diet and he had a significant improvement within the short time of two months. He was able to draw a clock within 14 days, where before he wasn’t able to (experiment found: Deans, 2014) .
Mary Newport, who did not want to put her husband in a poor quality care facility wanted to attempt this diet. She used supplemental coconut/MCT oil and had him be a lot more functional and active at home. He improved in cognitive function, gait, and any daily activities. MRI’s over time showed no progression of the disease.
Sadly, this diet's benefits didn’t last forever and Mr. Newport had troubles in 2010 while participating in a clinical trial for a drug to treat Alzheimer’s Dementia. He lost all interest in yard work, and started to require step by step instruction to dress himself like before this diet. Mary decided to induce a more intense level of ketosis in her husband. After only a few days of increasing the doses, Mr. Newport was able to brush his own teeth, dress and bathe himself again and his moods were improved and he could recite the alphabet. In 6-8 weeks, he began to do yard work again and his memory had improved and after 20 months, he was able to maintain a surprising improvement. This study had only been done once but it encourages more clinical investigation. Dementia is not the only disease it is able to treat, poeple with epilepsy, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism and traumatic brain injuries may also benefit (experiment found: Deans, 2014).
Bibliography:
http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp - "Dementia | Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis." Alzheimer's Association. 2017.
http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/What-is-dementia - What Is Dementia?" What Is Dementia? | Alzheimer Society of Canada. 2017.
http://www.alz.org/research/clinical_trials/clinical_trials_alzheimers.asp#prevention - "Trials and Studies, Alzheimer's & Dementia | Research Center." Alzheimer's Association. 2017. http://www.alz.org/dementia/types-of-dementia.asp- "Dementia Types | Signs, Symptoms, & Diagnosis." I Have Alzheimer's. 2017.
http://www.alz.org/mnnd/documents/aging_memory_loss_and_dementia_what_is_the_difference.pdf - Aging, Memory Loss and Dementia: What’s the Difference?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201410/bold-new-experimental-treatment-alzheimers-dementia - "A Bold New Experimental Treatment for Alzheimer's Dementia." Psychology Today. Emily Deans M.D., 16 Oct. 2014.
Questions for Further Investigation:
1. Can a teenager my age suffer from Dementia?
2. What kind of conditioning applies the best for teenagers?
3. What experiments could be done to my psychology 12 class in regards to the types of conditioning.
2. What kind of conditioning applies the best for teenagers?
3. What experiments could be done to my psychology 12 class in regards to the types of conditioning.