FSU researchers study early indicators and prevention for Alzheimer’s disease – WCTV

Report on Alzheimer’s Research and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Global Health Challenge in the Context of SDG 3

Alzheimer’s disease represents a significant global health challenge, affecting nearly 7 million Americans and contributing to the death of one in three seniors, often in conjunction with other forms of dementia. Research efforts at Florida State University (FSU) are underway to deepen the understanding of this disease, directly contributing to the ambitions of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Research Objectives and Direct Contributions to Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

The FSU research program is focused on developing future prevention and treatment protocols. This work is fundamental to achieving SDG Target 3.4, which calls for a reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment. Key areas of investigation include:

• The psychological and social factors that increase a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s.
• The identification of elements that help individuals remain resilient throughout the course of the disease.
• The long-term establishment of effective and accessible preventive care.

Innovative Research Pathways and Support for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

The research at FSU embodies the principles of SDG 9, which promotes scientific research and innovation to address critical societal challenges. Associate Professor Aaron Wilber highlights an innovative approach that reframes the scientific community’s understanding of Alzheimer’s. This new perspective involves several key components:

1. Treating Alzheimer’s not as a single disease, but as a set of distinct diseases, allowing for more targeted research and treatment strategies.
2. Focusing on the hypothesis that reduced sleep depth may be an early indicator of the disease, potentially appearing even before clinical onset.
3. Investigating how improved sleep quality could enhance the brain’s natural waste-clearing processes, thereby preventing the accumulation of substances linked to Alzheimer’s.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Approach to Sustainable Development

The ongoing research at Florida State University provides a critical contribution to the global effort to combat Alzheimer’s disease. This initiative not only advances medical science but also aligns with the broader framework of the Sustainable Development Goals by addressing key public health issues through scientific innovation. The project’s impact extends across several SDGs:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The primary focus on understanding, preventing, and treating a major non-communicable disease directly supports the goal of promoting health for aging populations.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The research represents a significant investment in scientific innovation aimed at solving a pressing global health problem.

By pursuing novel approaches to Alzheimer’s, the FSU researchers are helping to build a foundation for healthier societies and contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s entire focus is on Alzheimer’s disease, a significant health challenge. It discusses the disease’s prevalence, mortality rate, and the scientific research being conducted to develop prevention and treatment methods. These topics are central to the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

  The article directly relates to this target by focusing on Alzheimer’s, a non-communicable disease (NCD). It states that “one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia,” highlighting the high mortality rate. The research efforts at Florida State University, with the “long-term goal is to establish effective preventive care,” are a direct action towards the “prevention and treatment” component of this target.

• Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases…

  This target is addressed through the article’s description of the FSU research program. The researchers are working to “better understand the disease and shape the future of prevention and treatment.” Their investigation into “psychological and social factors” and the role of sleep quality represents the kind of research and development for NCDs that this target aims to promote.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 3.4 (Mortality and Prevalence Rates):

  The article provides specific statistics that can serve as baseline indicators to measure progress. These include:

  • The prevalence of the disease: “Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s.”
  • The mortality rate associated with the disease: “one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.”

  A reduction in these numbers would indicate progress toward Target 3.4.

• Indicator for Target 3.b (Research and Development Efforts):

  While the article does not provide quantitative data on research funding, it qualitatively describes the existence and focus of the FSU research program. The description of researchers’ efforts to understand the disease, such as the hypothesis that “improving sleep quality could help the brain clear waste more effectively,” serves as an implicit indicator of ongoing research and development activities aimed at combating this NCD.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wctv.tv