2001-10-31|Resolving the Alzheimer Disease Paradox
01 | Alzheimer Disease Biomedical Research Grant Program
New Application
Biomedical Application
Social & Psychological Application
02 | Title of Project
Resolving the Alzheimer Disease Paradox
Application for Research Grant
03 | Principal Investigator
?
Address
?
04 | Names and Titles of Co-Applicants
Go Simon Sunatori, P.Eng., M.Eng. (Engineering Physics)
Address
65, des Parulines
Hull (Québec)
CANADA J9A 1Z4
<mailto:GS.Sunatori@HyperInfo.CA>
<tel:+1-819-595-9210>
<fax:+1-425-984-7292>
Michèle Provencher, B.Sc., M.Sc. (Mathematics)
Address
65, des Parulines
Hull (Québec)
CANADA J9A 1Z4
<mailto:MAM.Provencher@HyperInfo.CA>
<tel:+1-819-595-9210>
<fax:+1-425-984-7292>
05 | Sponsoring Agency
?
?
Address
?
Name of financial officer who will administer funds
?
06 | Cost of Project
Total cost of Project
$120 000 CAD
Current Award
$0 CAD
Amount applied for Year 1
$60 000 CAD
Amount applied for Year 2
$60 000 CAD
07 | Research Grant Proposal
07.01 | Objectives of the research and hypotheses
The Alzheimer Disease (AD) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page states: "People usually die of secondary infection, such as pneumonia." However, there are anecdotal evidences that the average lifespan of the people diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease is longer than that of the general population. The goal of the proposed research is to better understand this phenomenon in an effort to resolve the "Alzheimer Disease Paradox".
The first objective of the proposed research is to establish the correlation between Alzheimer Disease and the average lifespan by gathering data from epidemiological studies, and by conducting statistical analyses on the lifespan and the causes of death of the patients. The hypothesis is that patients diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease have remarkable immunity against other diseases such as cancer and heart disease, despite the degeneration in the brain.
The second objective of the proposed research is to discover the mechanism of the long lifespan of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. The hypothesis is that certain aluminum compounds found in plaques (extracellular deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid) and tangles (fibrous clumps of a protein inside nerve cells, or tau phosphorylation) in fact enhance the immunity of the patients diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease against other diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
07.02 | Method of investigation and research plan
Several epidemiological studies of Alzheimer Disease will be identified, and their release is requested from each institution.
Raw epidemiological data in machine-readable format will be gathered, and the causes of death of Alzheimer Disease patients will be identified through a systematic investigation. Data from several epidemiological studies must be assembled, and nomenclature must be standardised. Software code will be written in order to automate data processing, and the processed data will be organised into a knowledge base.
Statistical analyses on the causes of death of Alzheimer Disease patients will be conducted, and compared with those of the general population. The method of sampling will be determined, sample size will be justified, and assessed population will be defined. The causes of death of the general population will be gathered from Statistics Canada and/or U.S. Census Bureau.
Aluminum compounds in the brain of Alzheimer Disease patients will be listed, and possible beneficial effects of each chemical compound will be formulated.
07.03 | Expected results
Confirmation of the hypothesis that patients diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease have remarkable immunity against other diseases such as cancer and heart disease, despite the degeneration in the brain. Sociological reason may be identified, such as non-vigorous saving of life by the physicians, families and relatives of the patients (passive euthanasia).
Identification of possible mechanisms of the long lifespan of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer Disease. Certain aluminum compounds may protect DNA from free radical damages. Certain aluminum compounds may delay shortening of telomeres in chromosomes. Sedentary lifestyle may be identified as the main cause because inactivity may slow down aging by minimising the oxidation of cells.
07.04 | Role of the principal applicant and all co-investigators
? will identify several epidemiological studies of Alzheimer Disease, and request their release from each institution. ? will supervise the research project.
Go Simon Sunatori will gather raw epidemiological data in machine-readable format, and identify the causes of death of Alzheimer Disease patients through a systematic investigation. Go Simon Sunatori will conduct statistical analyses on the causes of death of Alzheimer Disease patients, and compare with those of the general population. Go Simon Sunatori will also list aluminum compounds in the brain of Alzheimer Disease patients, and will formulate possible beneficial effects of each chemical compound.
Michèle Provencher will give advice on determining the method of sampling and justification of sample size, definition of assessed population, etc.
