A Research Project to Demonstrate the Intricate Relationship between Autabiographical Memory and Self-identity

Student’s Name 

Professor’s Name 

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Date                                                                

A Research Project to Demonstrate the Intricate Relationship between Autobiographical Memory and Self-identity

Grant Proposal Aims 

This proposal aims to seek funds to help research and demonstrate the intricate relationship between Autobiographical Memory and Self-identity as based on the effect of diabetes mellitus on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. A long-standing debate has been ongoing for decades over what exactly is the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, how can it be diagnosed properly, and if its cure will ever be found. As reported by the HealthDay Reporter, one in nine Americans with the age of 45 and older talk of experiencing thinking declines (Steven). This shows that Americans with the age of 45 and older have autobiographical memory problems that could probably lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The United States Alzheimer’s patients are provided with the prognosis according to the symptoms and changes in behaviors that are depicted over time in these patients. Currently, there no definitive tests that might give medical professionals with solutions as to what causes this disease and if there is a method to cure it (Yiannopoulou &Sokratis). However, with the use of neuroimaging, observing, and postmortem autopsy, scientific researchers in the medical field are nearing to finding the solution for this problem. HealthDay Reporter also reported that one of the earliest signs and symptoms of impending Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is noticing a decline in mental abilities such as forgetting who you are. With the increased number of Alzheimer’s disease patients, there is a need for more research to be done on this disease and its relation to autobiographical memory and self-identity (Vanderveren et al.). As such, I seek a grant to further the research study of how diabetes mellitus can affect the aging brain and also discover if there is any correlation to those that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. 

Background 

A lot of research work has been done on different lifestyles and health conditions that have some connections to Alzheimer’s disease. According to Mario Barbagallo and Ligia J Dominguez, epidemiological and biological evidence support a relationship between diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease (Mario Barbagallo & Ligia J Dominguez). Also, the authors state that persons with diabetes have a higher incidence of cognitive decline with an increase in the risk of developing all kinds of dementia. Additionally, the authors postulate that cognitive deficits in patients with diabetes mainly affect the areas of psychomotor efficiency, attention, learning and memory, mental flexibility and speed, and executive function. A health condition that has little to no viable research is the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, with the help of neuroimaging, careful long-term observation, and tracking of symptoms and behaviors there is not much else for effective research. 

Significance

 Discovering the relationship between Alzheimer’s and diabetes mellitus has currently become crucial with the number of cases of Alzheimer’s reaching “25 million people worldwide and this number is expected to rise to 80 million by 2040” (Dhikav). In most cases, patients are not given a definitive diagnosis until after they have passed away and a postmortem autopsy can be performed. Although neuroimaging and observation are a few of the ways to give a patient a prognosis, there is a lot of research that analyses lifestyle choices and prior health conditions. Thus, the relationship between diabetes mellitus with hippocampal and amygdala atrophy suggests that type 2 diabetes directly affects the development of Alzheimer’s disease neuropathology (Dhikav). 

Methodology 

 A descriptive correlational research design will be used in the study since the research study involves the relationship between Autobiographical Memory and Self-identity as based on the effect of diabetes mellitus on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Descriptive correlation research is a type of quantitative research method that involves the systematic investigation of relationships between or among two or more variables that have been identified in theories, observed in practice, or both (Apuke et al.). In case of the relationship existing, the researcher should determine the type (positive or negative) and the degree or strength of the relationship. There is a tendency of variables changing in the positive relationship either through increasing or decreasing together. When it is a negative relationship, variables are expected to shift inversely or in opposite directions. The study will consist of 45-year-old and older Alzheimer’s patients with diabetes backgrounds. Questionnaires to be filled by the respondents will be provided to them by the local authority. The filled questionnaire will help get first-hand information regarding their health status including the instances when they began experiencing memory loss.   

Work Plan/Scope 

The aim of this project is to carry out research that will discover the intricate relationship between Autobiographical Memory and Self-identity as based on the effect of diabetes mellitus on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. To make the research study effective, I will have to look for a research center that matches my area of interest which is the Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Center. This research center receives funds from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to support its other 31 centers across America (Beach et al.,). These Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center aims to translate research advances into improved diagnosis and care for people with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as working towards finding treatment for Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia (Montine et al.). As such, this project seeks to utilize researchers from the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, a sample population of 30 individuals who are patients with Alzheimer’s disease and have diabetes mellitus background, 20 employees, and scientific resources that will be used to carry out the research. 

Resources 

• Researchers will be provided by Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center.
• Local UW ADRC database.
• Adult Changes in Thought Study (ACT); which is a longitudinal population-based prospective cohort study of brain aging and incident dementia in the Seattle metropolitan area.
• Techniques and devices used to study Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Instruments used in the study of cognitive function.
• Secondary sources of data.
• Instruments to study Alzheimer’s Disease patients with diabetes mellitus background.
• Funds.

 Expected Outcome: 

While considering the purpose of the project, I will present the research results after its successful completion to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the world as a whole so to make sure it’s put in action to help reduce autobiographical memory complications such as dementia. Positive results from the research study will be of great significance to research work on the study of autobiographical memory. 

Schedule 

Staffing 

Research Project Manager:

 The role of the project manager will be to oversee the following: 

• The project will plan, organize and execute all activities involved in the successful completion of the project from the start to completion.
• He/she will assign tasks and responsibilities to individuals involved in the project.
• He/she will be responsible for developing the schedules of different activities within the research project and provide details on the actualization process.
• He/she will oversee budget management to ensure the funds are funds are efficiently and purposefully used. The project manager will also make sure that there are limited deviations from the stated budgets since the budget is restricted.
• The project manager will spearhead risk analysis that might impact successful completion of the project. Such measures will include risks associated with project resources, project schedule, and budgetary allocations. 

 Program Coordinator: The work of the project coordinator will extend to but not limited to the following: 

• The project coordinator will act as a contact person between the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the team involved in the research work. He/she will also handle logistics.
• He/she will create and store important documents with valuable information about the research study, including counting the sample population used in the research project.
• He/she will as well allocate the specific time schedules for the activity.
• The project manager will also coordinate with Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center representatives to develop logistics and communicate necessary information regarding the research project.
• He/she will as well review the process and functions, approve only those that are involved and are beneficial to the project.

 Project Team Members A team of 50 members will take part in all the activities involved in the success of the project. As per their defined role within the research projects, maximum productions from all processes will be ensured. All team members will communicate essential information, cooperate, with other members to meet targets and deadlines and articulate expertise to ensure success of the research project. Cooperation and mutual understanding between the team members will ensure efficient carrying out of the research project. Budget Although I expect the grant to help in covering all the activities of the research project, I have some savings that will cater for other costs. The following expenses will be covered. 

Conclusion 

Conclusively, autobiographical memory forms a network of memories about experiences that defines us and supports well-being and effective functioning of the self in various ways. With the increasing rate of Alzheimer’s disease with diabetes mellitus background, the need to do research on autobiographical memories rose. Consequently, the project focuses on demonstrating the intricate relationship between Autobiographical Memory and Self-identity as based on the effect of diabetes mellitus on patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Although a lot of research has been done on Alzheimer’s disease, no research has discovered the real causes of the disease and its cure. After project completion, results will be presented to the Arizona Alzheimer's Disease Center and then to the world through the use of the internet and visual presentation through television .

Work Cited 

Apuke, Oberiri Destiny. "Quantitative research methods: A synopsis approach." Kuwait Chapter of Arabian Journal of Business and Management Review 33.5471 (2017): 1-8. 

Barbagallo, Mario, and Ligia J. Dominguez. "Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease." World journal of diabetes 5.6 (2014): 889. 

Dhikav, Vikas, and Kuljeet Anand. "Potential predictors of hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer’s disease." Drugs & aging 28.1 (2011): 1-11. 

Montine, Thomas J., et al. "National Institute on Aging–Alzheimer’s Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer’s disease: a practical approach." Acta neuropathologica 123.1 (2012): 1-11. 

Steven, Reinberg.1 in 9 U.S. Adults Over 45 Reports Memory Issues. WebMD, 2018. 

Vanderveren, Elien, Patricia Bijttebier, and Dirk Hermans. "The importance of memory specificity and memory coherence for the self: Linking two characteristics of autobiographical memory." Frontiers in Psychology 8 (2017): 2250. 

Yiannopoulou, Konstantina G., and Sokratis G. Papageorgiou. "Current and future treatments for Alzheimer’s disease." Therapeutic advances in neurological disorders 6.1 (2013): 19-33. 

Beach, Thomas G., et al. "Accuracy of the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer disease at National Institute on Aging Alzheimer Disease Centers, 2005–2010." Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology 71.4 (2012): 266-273.