Honors Theses

College

James Worth Bagley College of Engineering

Department

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Major

Mechanical Engineering

Document Type

Honors Thesis

Abstract

Recent studies reveal that from the pathological standpoint, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is described by the cerebral deposition of aggregated amyloid beta (AB) polymers in the form of amyloid plaques. This thesis introduces a new mathematical model for the treatment of AD in the presence of inhibitory drugs. Two types of drugs are considered: monomer inhibitors of AB aggregation and anti-aggregate drugs. First, the model is analyzed with only one of the two drugs and then the two drugs are tested in the presence of one another. The numerical simulations of models show that the first type of drug is able to reduce the steady state value of the number bonded monomers into aggregated polymers, but it does not reduce the rate of these monomers bonding to zero; thus, this type of drug can be used as a way to control but not treat AD. The second drug is able to reduce the steady state value while reducing the number of bonded monomers. This kind of drug can be used as an effective tool for treating AD, on at least the formation of AB plaques.

Publication Date

5-1-2018

First Advisor

Yarahmadian, Shantia

Second Advisor

McBride, Matt

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