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A common genetic variant in the Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene called ApoE4 has been shown to increase risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

The deCODEme Complete Scan analyzes your DNA for this variant and provides you with a personalized interpretation of your risk for Alzheimer´s Disease.

deCODEme helps you assess your genetic risk for late-onset Alzheimer´s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is characterized by progressive loss of memory

Classical symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease begin with loss of memory for recent events. With time, additional symptoms develop in individuals with the disease, including confusion, disorganized thinking, impaired judgment, trouble with expressing themselves and disorientation.

The main risk factor is increased age

Alzheimer’s Disease primarily affects people over the age of 65 and it becomes more prevalent with advanced age. About 5% of individuals in the age range 65-74 are affected by the disease, but nearly half of all individuals over the age of 85.

Certain genes increase the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease

The risk of developing Alzheimer´s Disease is in part genetically determined and rare mutations in three different genes are known to cause early-onset Alzheimer´s, affecting individuals before the age of 65. The risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer´s Disease is to a large extent mediated by a variant in the APOE gene referred to as APOE4. In addition, scientists have recently discovered a common variant in the CLU gene also associated with an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer´s Disease.

deCODEme calculates your genetic risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease

The deCODEme Complete Scan identifies the variants in the APOE and CLU gene and uses them to provide customers of European descent with a personalized interpretation of their genetic risk for developing Alzheimer´s Disease. (Please note that the deCODEme genetic scan does not identify the rare mutations associated with the early-onset type of Alzheimer´s Disease.)

At present, the necessary scientific information to interpret the genetic risk for individuals of other ethnicities is not available. This information will be added as soon as it becomes available and we are assured of its quality.

Many factors interact to cause Alzheimer’s Disease

Although much progress has been made in understanding the causes of Alzheimer’s, many questions remain unanswered. It is likely that many factors, both inherited and environmental, interact in complex ways to cause the disease. Currently, the main known risk factors are:

• Age: is the greatest risk factor for AD that affects both sexes and most ethnicities.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop the disease than men, mainly because women live longer.
• Genetics: Close relatives (parents, siblings, children) of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer´s Disease are at a 3-4 fold greater risk of developing the disease than the general population. Genetic factors therefore play an important role in the development of Alzheimer´s Disease.
• Other known risk factors that may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s Disease are risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (high blood pressure, high cholesterol), educational level and hormone replacement therapy.

Drugs are available for the early stages of Alzheimer’s Disease

Although there is currently no treatment available that can delay or stop the brain degeneration that causes Alzheimer’s Disease, several drugs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can temporarily slow worsening of symptoms for 6 to 12 months. As these drugs are mainly useful in the early stages of the disease, some individuals may choose to know their risk factors for the disease.

Lifestyle changes to prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s Disease

The latest medical research suggests that the best hope for preventing or slowing down Alzheimer’s Disease is to adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes protecting your head from injury at all times (e.g. by wearing a seatbelt and using a helmet when biking or skiing) and exercising or stimulating your brain regularly (e.g. by taking a class, learning a new language, playing memory games, or doing crosswords).

Individuals at high risk for Alzheimer’s may benefit from regular screening for early symptoms of the disease by their primary care provider. Early, active medical management, through available treatment options and utilization of programs and support services, can improve quality of life through all stages of the disease for diagnosed individuals and their caregivers.

More information

You can find out more information about Alzheimer’s Disease disease by talking with your doctor and visiting these Web sites:

• Alzheimer´s Association
• Alzheimer´s Foundation of America
• Alzheimer Research Forum
• MedlinePlus – Trusted Health Information for You
• National Institute on Aging
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• U.S. Assisted Living Directory

This content was last reviewed on February 08, 2010.

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