Dementia is a loss of brain function that occurs with certain diseases. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is one form of dementia that gradually worsens. It affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
Alzheimer’s – Knowing and Preventing
The likeliness of developing Alzheimer’s disease has several factors – and one of the most important risks is genetic predisposition.
Fortunately, your genetic risk can be evaluated using a genetic test, and the results can help you make lifestyle changes to help reduce your overall risk, potentially delay the onset of symptoms and slow disease progression.
If you have cognitive concerns, a genetic test can provide insight into your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the future. It only requires a saliva sample – so you can do the test at home if you wish to do so.
The Alzheimer’s Risk Test
The Alzheimer’s Risk Test makes a broad analysis of your genetics, assessing over 100,000 genetic variations that are associated with, or protective against, the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The test will provide a Polygenic Risk Score – based on your unique genetics.
The test will also report on APOE status – a known risk factor in Alzheimer’s. APOE status is a major genetic component of risk in Alzheimer’s disease, especially carriers of the APOE4 allele. The test will also provide additional information beyond the genetic risk of APOE alone, providing greater insight into the APOE4 heterozygote and APOE3 homozygote groups.
If you are interested – ask our office about Dr West’s genetic test.
This test is not currently covered by national healthcare systems or insurance providers.
Please contact us for more information.