Whether it’s wanting to pursue a compassionate career or trying to learn more about a condition impacting a loved one, you might be looking to explore more information about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other conditions that impact the brain and the human body as a whole. If you’re looking to expand this knowledge into the educational realm, there is some higher learning you’ll need to pursue to make sure you can take a deeper dive into dementia research.
Undergraduate Degree
Earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and pre-medicine is the first step toward better understanding dementia research. If you are curious to learn more about these research efforts, you may want to start by exploring which schools can help you on this journey. College advisors through Empower admissions take the time to hold your hand through the application process. This starts with pointing out schools that you’re hoping to get admission to and figuring out all of the requirements to make sure that you can be a part of the next undergrad entry class.
Pursuing a biology degree looks into some of the underlying conditions and deeper roots of what causes dementia. Alzheimer’s research has found that memory loss and confusion are some of the earliest signs of cognitive decline. However, there are lifestyle factors and behavioral triggers that have been associated with the signs of dementia and Alzheimer’s. For some patients, depression, and hallucination can be a sign of declining cognitive function. Biochemistry is a part of the pursuit of this undergraduate degree in biology that will set you up for the next step in understanding research.
Medical School
Upon completion of your undergraduate degree, it’s time to pursue a nursing degree or a doctorate to better understand what goes into innovative research. Alzheimer’s research has discovered how amyloid beta, a neurotoxin at the root of the disease, forms in axons and related structures that connect neurons in the brain. This causes the most damage that leads to these devastating neurological diseases. This research is helping to determine medications that may be viable in preventing the development of amyloid beta, breaking down the amino acids quicker at the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In pursuit of a doctor, you can take solace in getting the most health information possible to truly delve into how imbalances in medical history can impact cases of dementia. Beyond general material, you’ll be able to use your medical school education to gain insight into the progression of Alzheimer’s and developments in the fight against cognitive impairment. During this stage, you’ll also learn proper care to help patients deal with memory problems, learning proper care techniques that will better address brain health-related difficulties.
Understanding and Connections
Through the proper educational program, you’ll get a deeper understanding of not only what goes into dementia research but what goes into true compassion for those suffering from cognitive decline. Connection, care, and respect are emphasized to address even mild cognitive impairment, providing an understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and helping those patients and their family members better understand the condition and know that they are not alone in these difficulties.
Caregivers are able to adapt a plan for patients to help deal with the symptoms associated with dementia. Doctors will regularly evaluate memory, language, visual perception, attention, problem-solving abilities, movement, senses, balance, reflexes, and other areas. However, beyond just testing, it’s about understanding the therapeutic and personal needs of the patient. It comes down to offering that level of compassionate care to better explain research to patients and their family members. Knowing new information or even directing them to online resources can be what delivers a brighter outlook for a dementia patient.
