Franchesca Domrongchai

Professor Malcolm Campbell

UWRT 1103
February 16, 2016
Topic Proposal: Memory Loss in Young Adults

Commented [1]: Maybe leave off "Topic Proposal"

Introduction/Overview
Memory loss is typically associated with old age and sometimes trauma induced patients.
In my research paper, I will be exploring memory loss in specifically young adults. The idea of
memory loss in this age group is overlooked and I feel as though this topic needs more attention.

Commented [2]: Good idea to address what age

group people typically associate memory loss with, and
then to provide the contrast of what you'll be focusing
primarily on.

In this research paper I will be addressing what early signs of Alzheimers Disease looks like and
how it affects young people, what are causes of dementia in young adults, and reasons for why
memory might be lacking in this specific age group.
Usually, early onset for Alzheimers make their appearances in forty and fifty year olds.
In an experiment taking twenty at-risk people and twenty-four non-risk people, eighteen through
twenty-four year olds, researchers were able to detect signs of Alzheimers disease through MRI
scans and other testings. Even if they are not experiencing symptoms now, the scans of their
brains show differences between the carriers of the mutation and the non-carriers. I would like to
explore this study more for my research paper to understand the differences in their brains and
how it affects their lives.
Obesity, a major current issue in our society, has also been considered to be a reason for
memory deficits in young adults. In a study done to compare the memory of normal weight,
overweight, and obese participants, researchers found that the memory of those who are obese
are less than those who are overweight, and those who are overweight have worse memory than

Commented [3]: The reader knows exactly what you

want to learn, which is good. Doesn't leave them
guessing. Maybe pick one specific thing, so you can
narrow your research and make it a little easier on you.

those who are at a normal weight. I will include this study in my research paper and also find
more information about why this might be the case.
Other ways memory could be affected in young people are blood sugar levels, emotions

Commented [4]: This is really interesting. I think it

would be useful to include in your paper, because it
does engage the reader's interest and curiosity.

and cannabis use. High blood glucose levels contribute more to better memory than low blood
sugar. I will address this study in my paper and explain how low blood sugar in young adults are
affect their memory. Cannabis use is another reason for memory to not be as strong in young
adults. Heavy cannabis users scored poorly on memory tests compared to non-users and shortterm users. I will also include this study in my research paper and share ways this might be
reversible. Emotions play a role in memory also. In a study done to link emotions and memory,
researchers found that negative objects triggered more vivid memories than neutral objects.
There are many ways that memory can be effected in young adults. This is an important
topic because memory loss is usually only linked with older adults. There are many different
sources and experiments I can research for this topic, and I will be able to find my own
conclusions with my findings. From my research already, I can already tell that memory loss in
young people are mostly a result of lifestyle, so I want to draw attention to the lifestyles of these
young adults and possibly ways we can improve them for better a memory and mind.
Initial Inquiry Questions

Commented [5]: By concluding with this, it makes the

reader want to read your final EIP and learn more
about what these specific lifestyles are.

Are there early signs of Alzheimers that are looked over when the patient is young? How
are lifestyle choices affecting memory in young adults? What would cause Dementia in young
adults? What are ways to improve memory in young adulthood?

My Interest in this Topic

I have a difficult time remembering events from my childhood, or even from just a few
years ago. I never had a traumatizing experience that would impair my memory or cause me to

Commented [6]: These are great questions, but I

would try and condense into one, maybe two questions
if you have too, but this way the reader doesn't feel
overwhelmed with questions.

selectively forget, I just have trouble remembering. Recently, I have become extremely forgetful.
I used to be great at remembering small things that happen relatively recent, but now it is
difficult for me to remember what I did yesterday. I am interested in this topic because I want to
learn more about memory loss, dementia, and the early signs of Alzheimers for myself. My
forgetfulness has caused me to worry about the workings of my brain and I want to be informed,
be able to take necessary precautions, or even self-diagnose myself to prepare for the life ahead.
Next Steps
My next steps for this paper is to continue my research and focus on reasons for why
memory loss in young adults is happening. I will use the librarys databases to collect different
experiments, journals, and articles on memory loss in young adults. More specifically, I will use
the Psychology and Health Psychology databases for a more controlled search. I can also use my
Psychology 1101 textbook to help me learn more about how memory works. Learning how
memory works could help me understand how different lifestyles are affecting memory.
Franchesca,
Great topic proposal. You get straight to the point about the knowledge that you want to gain on
your topic of Alzheimer's and early dementia. You connected your research to something
personal within your own life, which as I commented, is so important in making the reader feel
as if this topic matters. The only thing I would suggest overall, is to condense your research
question into one, if possible, so readers have more of a general focus with your topic.

Commented [7]: So important that you connect your

research to yourself, and that is exactly what you did.
This makes the reader feel as if the topic is more
significant and meaningful.