The neurological disorders to research:Alzheimer’s disease
and address the following criteria
-Describe what the disorder is and identify the neurological structures this disease specifically affects.
-Describe how this disorder affects a person’s physical and mental health.
-Discuss current treatments for the disorder.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects the elderly population, leading to significant cognitive decline and memory loss. This essay aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Alzheimer’s disease by discussing its characteristics, the specific neurological structures it affects, its impact on physical and mental health, and current treatments available for managing this debilitating disorder.
Description of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in the brain, known as plaques and tangles. These plaques consist of beta-amyloid protein, while the tangles are primarily composed of tau protein. The formation of these abnormal protein aggregates disrupts the normal functioning of neurons, leading to their degeneration and subsequent cognitive decline.
Neurological Structures Affected by Alzheimer’s Disease
The areas of the brain specifically affected by Alzheimer’s disease include the hippocampus, which is responsible for forming new memories, and the cerebral cortex, which is involved in higher cognitive functions such as language, reasoning, and problem-solving. As the disease progresses, it spreads to other regions of the brain, leading to widespread neuronal damage and further deterioration of cognitive abilities.
Impact on Physical and Mental Health
Alzheimer’s disease not only affects cognitive function but also has a significant impact on a person’s physical and mental health. Individuals with Alzheimer’s often experience difficulties with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and feeding themselves as their motor coordination and executive function decline. Moreover, they may suffer from depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal due to the progressive loss of their cognitive abilities. As the disease advances, individuals may become completely dependent on others for their care.
Current Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
At present, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are several treatment approaches aimed at managing its symptoms and slowing down its progression. The most common treatment is pharmacotherapy, which involves the use of cholinesterase inhibitors such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine. These medications enhance the levels of acetylcholine in the brain, improving cognitive function temporarily.
In addition to pharmacotherapy, non-pharmacological interventions play a crucial role in managing Alzheimer’s disease. These interventions include cognitive stimulation therapy, which involves engaging patients in activities designed to enhance cognitive functioning; physical exercise, which has shown promising effects in improving cognitive abilities; and social engagement programs to prevent isolation and promote social interaction.
Recent advancements in research have also focused on developing disease-modifying treatments that target the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. These treatments aim to reduce the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Although these therapies are still in experimental stages, they hold promise for potentially slowing down or halting the progression of the disease in the future.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating neurological disorder that severely impacts a person’s physical and mental health. Although current treatments cannot cure the disease, they can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Ongoing research aims to develop more effective therapies that target the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Increased public awareness, funding for research, and support for patients and their families are crucial for combating this epidemic and finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
