Lyla Van Es 13K

Psychology (HL)
Mr. Joe
Dear Chancellor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
I am a current student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I have recently
heard of the imminent research funding cuts, and I am writing this letter in order to
appeal for the continuation of funding for Professor Tsais research team.
Alzheimers disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive neurological disease that
slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry
out the simplest tasks. With AD the patients immune system, attacks proteins
(beta-amyloid proteins) that attach themselves to healthy neurons in the brain. The
proteins form a plaque that is resistant to the immune system attacks which leads
to the healthy neurons being attacked and the protein stays intact. In addition the
protein responsible for the microtubules structures (which are in charge of aiding
transport from one part of the nerve cell to others) is abnormal causing the
mentioned structures to collapse. All of these effects have extreme consequences
on the patients brain. Throughout the disease the brain tissue shrinks which can be
identified on MRI scans. The cells in the hippocampus start to deteriorate first, short
term memory loss begins. As the disease spreads so do the symptoms of
Alzheimers increases. Furthermore, in older people Alzheimers is common cause of
dementia. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioningthinking, remembering,
and reasoningand behavioral abilities, to such an extent that it interferes with a
persons daily life and activities.
Continuation for Professor Tsais research is of paramount importance, this is
because nationally there are approximately 4.5 million Americans living with AS,
and this number is expected to double by the year 2030. Furthermore, Alzheimers
is the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured
or slowed. 1/3 seniors die with Alzheimers or another dementia. Alzheimers
disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Only 45% of people
with Alzheimers or their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis, whereas
more than 90% of people with the four most common types of cancer have been
told of their diagnosis. In 2015, Alzheimers and other dementias will cost the
nation $226 billion and by 2050 these costs could rise to $1.1 trillion. Finally, every
67 seconds someone in the United States develops the disease.
There is no cure for Alzheimers and it is known that to care for someone with the
disease takes patience and attentiveness. It can be a struggle for the patients loved
ones as they have to watch someone they love struggle mentally, and they cannot
bear to witness their loved ones losing their not only their past but also their future.
Professor Tsai is the Picower Professor of the neuroscience on the department of
brain and cognitive sciences at the Massachusetts institute of technology. Professor
Tsai has a keen interest in AD and is trying to find a cure and help the many
suffering from this disease. Her research is groundbreaking and is closer in helping
the many that suffer from this incurable disease.

Lyla Van Es 13K

Psychology (HL)
Mr. Joe
A team led by researchers at MIT's Picower Institute for Learning and Memory has
now pinpointed the exact gene responsible for a breakthrough in which mice with
symptoms of Alzheimer's disease regained long-term memories and the ability to
learn. Professor Tsai found that drugs that work on the gene HDAC2 reverse the
effects of Alzheimer's and boost cognitive function in mice. The gene and its
protein are promising targets for treating memory impairment, this is because
HDAC2 regulates the expression of a plethora of genes implicated in plasticity the
brain's ability to change in response to experience and memory formation. The
researchers treated mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms using histone deacetylase
(HDAC) inhibitors. HDACs are a family of 11 enzymes that seem to act as master
regulators of gene expression. As you can see Professor Tsais research is of
importance as she is helping finding a cure for AD and getting closer to it than any
other research that has been made here at MIT.
Alzheimers disease is rapidly increasing over the years and it is not expecting to
slow down anytime soon unless a cure can be found. Maybe not even a cure has to
be made, but at least an answer to the question of what causes Alzheimers, and
by funding Professor Tsais research we will be one step closer to getting the answer
to the unanswered questions regarding Alzheimers. I do sincerely hope you
continue funding Professor Tsais research as it would be a tragedy to the people
around the nation with this horrible disease. Seeing someone suffering from this
uncontrollable and unstoppable force is painful. Through professor Tsais work there
is a hope for everyone out there.
Regards,
Lyla Van Es