the subjects younger years. In their first set of conclusions, they confirmed prior studies by noticing that those further educated were less likely to be susceptible. Researchers later found that essays written in young life showing low idea density and grammatical complexity to be very strong indicators of a later problem with Alzheimers. They also found several factors unrelated to the subjects writings which could contribute to the dementia of Alzheimers disease. There was evidence that those who had suffered from strokes and head trauma showed signs of dementia. They also attributed low levels of folic acid in subject blood to Alzheimers patients. Lastly, Snowdon and fellow researchers studied the emotions of the nuns. They found that those expressing more positive emotions were more likely to live longer than those expressing negative emotions. To sum up, the Nun Study is breaking new important ground on Alzheimers disease.Background KnowledgeThe book doesnt delve too deeply into the causes or prevention methods of Alzheimers disease. It states that [p] eople with Alzheimers disease, a devastating condition that leads to memory loss, personality changes, and eventual disintegration of all physical and mental abilities, lose brain cells responsible for producing acetylcholine, and this deficit may help account for their memory problems (109). Nothing is said of acetylcholine production in the article I believe because The Nun Study considers the lifestyle of the subject rather than the actual chemical cause of the disease. It does however devote an entire chapter to memory. Memory loss is one of the first symptoms of Alzheimers disease. Now just because you cannot remember what you had for breakfast all last week does not mean that you are in the early stages of Alzheimers. That was undoubtedly sent into your short-term memory and quickly forgotten. I believe that Alzheimers disease prompts the dissolving of long-te...
