Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most reoccurring type of dementia, and remains incurable. Much work has been done to investigate the connections between AD development, type 2 diabetes and insulin receptor signaling abnormalities. Full length amyloid precursor protein (flAPP) is a large transmembrane protein that has significant physiological activities including in utero fetal development. Alpha secretase enzymes cleave flAPP, producing secreted amyloid precursor protein alpha (sAPPα), which has neuroprotective properties, including protection against neuronal apoptosis as well as the induction of neuronal outgrowth. There is no known dedicated receptor for the physiological action of sAPPα. Our data suggest that the physiological actions of sAPPα are a result of the physical interaction between sAPPα and the neuronal insulin receptor. We have shown that sAPPα phosphorylates, and thus activates, the neuronal insulin receptor as well as specific downstream proteins, including insulin receptor substrate (IRS), and protein kinase B (Akt). We have also shown that the observed interaction between sAPPα and neuronal insulin receptors is physical and that sAPPα competes with insulin for the insulin binding site. These findings may have implications for therapies aimed at slowing down the progression of AD through the activation of the insulin receptor pathway, since in neurons, insulin and the insulin receptor pathway are critical to the neuronal health and plasticity.

Background: A positive BRCA1/2 carrier status impacts an individual on various levels with implications to an entire family due to shared family genes. A gap exists in the research literature in the area of parental disclosure and non-disclosure of genetic test results to younger offspring. Additional studies in the area of parental disclosure and non-disclosure will help clinicians to better support parents and children during this process. Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological research study was to attain an understanding of the lived experience of parents’ perceptions regarding the disclosure and non-disclosure of a positive BRCA1/2 test result to minors. Results: The essence of the lived experience of the 15 study participants was a parental desire for healthcare professionals to take the BRCA1/2 conversation a step further which was uncovered in the seven research themes. Discussion: For the study participants interviewed, stories reflected an identified need for axillary support that specifically pertained to the disclosure and non-disclosure decision-making process. Findings suggest ways in which parental support may be coordinated though intra and interdisciplinary team approaches to patient care. Implications: The findings from this study support the need for mixed methods studies of parental disclosure and non-disclosure of BRCA1/2 test results to minors. Specifically, studies assessing positive BRCA1/2 males and individuals from our gay community, members from our lower socioeconomic and diverse ethnic community, and fathers and children’s perceptions regarding the disclosure of parental BRCA1/2 test results to minors are warranted.

Zugl.: Kassel, Universiẗat, Habil.-Schr.

Thesis (Ph. D. in Cancer Biology)--Vanderbilt University, May 2008. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Proefschrift Universiteit van Amsterdam. / Met lit. opg. - Met samenvatting in het Nederlands.

Zugl.: Kurzfassung von: Köln, Univ., Diss., 2005

Pädagog. Hochschule, Diss., 2005--Heidelberg. / Literaturverz. S. 322-341.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 3 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Uppsala universitet, 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.