With rapid advancements continuing throughout the healthcare industry, staying informed can offer freedom and comfort at a level that was impossible just a few years ago. Those looking to find answers about their or their children’s genes or heritage can do so through genetic testing.
Genetic testing can provide answers to both your future and your past, with the potential to detect serious conditions like Tay-Sachs disease, breast and ovarian cancer, Huntington’s disease and other diseases. Early genetic testing for Alzheimer’s can also provide information for those showing symptoms or with a family history of early-onset Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia that impacts millions of Americans.
Dementia is a general term for conditions that result in a severe loss of memory that can impact an individual’s ability to care for themselves independently and maintain/form relationships with others.
One of the most common types of dementia is Alzheimer’s, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states “is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment.” The CDC reports that this disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in America, ranking as the fifth leading cause of death among adults aged 65 years or older.
There are two types of Alzheimer’s, late-onset and early-onset, and both have many of the same symptoms. Those living with Alzheimer’s may experience significant memory loss (the most noticeable symptom of the disease), mood and personality changes, confusion with place and time, as well as difficulty completing daily activities. Each day can bring challenges for those living with and caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, facing changes in ability levels and new patterns of behavior.
While it is not common for younger individuals to develop Alzheimer’s, the risk of this condition increases with age. Unfortunately, there is a lack of conclusive evidence for what causes Alzheimer’s. Still, many scientists believe that the condition results from several factors, one of the top contributing factors being genetics.
Researchers believe that one’s family history can play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease but that other factors, like a healthy lifestyle, can mitigate the likelihood of this disease developing. However, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the disease can be linked to not one gene but “can be influenced by multiple genes in combination with lifestyle and environmental factors. Consequently, a person may carry more than one genetic variant or group of variants that can either increase or reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s.”
Research shows that families with a strong genetic factor show a pattern of inheritance called autosomal dominant inheritance. This means every child of an affected parent has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the gene and potentially developing the disease.
While the development of the disease isn’t solely based on genetics, with individuals within the same household having potentially different outcomes based on their genes and lifestyle choices, early-onset Alzheimer’s is often highly linked to genetics. With more than one biological factor potentially at play, genetics testing for Alzheimer’s can be helpful for current and future life planning, providing relief and guidance that can potentially lead to a more fulfilling life in the know.
The opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and you should consult your doctor before beginning any new health related practice.
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.