Autumn Rikard

100 East Queen Street

Hampton University
Hampton, VA 23668
November 10, 2016
Taylor Batten
The Charlotte Observer
550 S. Caldwell Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Dear Mr. Batten,
Alzheimers Disease is a neurological disorder in which the death of brain cells causes memory
loss and cognitive decline. Its been stated that Alzheimers is the only cause of death in the US
top ten that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed down. This disease in particular has many
dangers that most are unaware of, it has affected my family for many generations therefore
leading me to want researchers to do more research.
Alzheimers disease is a brain disease that is irreversible and progressive. When a person has
Alzheimers him or her brain tissue has fewer nerves and connections leading the total brain size
to shrink. There are three main stages of Alzheimers; They are mild, moderate and severe. As a
person is diagnosed with the disease they are in the mild (early) stage in this stage the individual
has trouble remember names and often misplace valuable objects. In the moderate (middle) stage
one has an increased risk of wandering and becoming lost. Also in this stage ones sleeping
pattern changes as well as their ability to remember ones own personal history. The last and
most critical stage is the severe (late) stage in this stage an individual requires full time, around
the clock assistance and normally they experience changes in physical abilities, including the
ability to walk, sit and, eventually the inability to swallow. Alzheimers disease comes along with
a few unavoidable risk factors which are age, commonly found in those who are over 65 and
family inheritance meaning the disease is hereditary. Alzheimers increases the risk of stroke.
This disease in particular has affected one of my family members in such a way I couldnt have
ever imagined. About 10 years ago my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimers, and 8
months ago she passed away with it due to mental deterioration. When my grandmother was
diagnosed with Alzheimers in the year of 2006, she began to show the early signs of memory
loss. At first my family and I thought the disease stimulated from the onset of the death of her
son but we soon learned the disease was hereditary and her mom had it as well. In the beginning
of her diagnosis doctors were giving her pills to help slow the down progression of the disease
but of course that didnt work at all. Around the year 2013 she began entering the mild stage
where she would get up and start wandering off. No medicine was around to help her, there was

nothing the doctors could do to cure, slow down, nor prevent the disease. Over the last few
months of her life, her physical ability to walk, talk, and swallow changed fast. She passed away
February 16, 2016 in which her body completely stopped functioning.
Scientist have stated that taking a pill which prevents the accumulation of toxic molecules in the
brain might someday help prevent or delay Alzheimers.Tau is a protein that is affiliated with
alzheimers, some proteins become toxic when they accumulate.When the protein Tau
accumulates it increases the vulnerability of the brain developing Alzheimers. Over time,
scientist hope to develop a drug that will prevent and/or delay Alzheimers and Dementia. More
money, more research, more lives we can save. I want raise money to help researchers do more
research and find a cure for the disease. This disease in particular kills 1 in 3 seniors and
alzheimers is becoming a more common cause of death. I think its possible to find a cure and if
they have the money to do so. From personal experience I know how hard it is to watch a loved
one suffer through the traumatic journey. Not by any means is it easy and it causes a lot of stress
leading to many sleepless nights on the one with the disease as well as their family.
Sincerely,

Autumn Rikard

Works Cited
MacGill, Markus. "Alzheimer's Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments." Medical News
Today.
MediLexicon International, 29 Apr. 2016. Article from Medical News Today.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/159442.php
Baylor College of Medicine. "New strategy to prevent Alzheimer's disease." ScienceDaily.
ScienceDaily, 22 October 2016.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/10/161022161902.htm