Alzheimer's disease

• Fact: Alzheimer’s is not just a devastating illness, causing a frustrating and debilitating loss of memory and brain function. For some who have it, Alzheimer's disease can be fatal.
• Proportion of risk that’s in your genes: 62 percent.
• What you can do: Early detection is critical to controlling Alzheimer's disease. Medication and exercise may temporarily improve memory symptoms and boost mental function. Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol and maintaining social connections are also important. Diet matters, too. Our genetic testing service can help you determine if you are at above-average genetic risk of Alzheimer's.
• Did you know? Doing crossword puzzles can help keep your brain in shape; as can physical exercise and eating more fish, fruits and vegetables.

Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a progressive disease of the brain that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. It gradually destroys brain cells, making it increasingly difficult for people to work, participate in hobbies and even care for themselves. It is not a natural part of aging.

More than five million Americans have Alzheimer’s. Because the population is living longer, the number of people with this disease is expected to more than triple by 2050.

Although about three-fourths of cases occur in people with no apparent family history, nonetheless genetic changes are likely to play a key role. One of the primary culprits is thought to be the E4 version of the APOE gene. This gene carries the code for a protein that helps transport cholesterol in the bloodstream. Those who have 1 or 2 copies of the APOE4 gene variant are known to have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s. Our genetic test looks at markers in the APOE gene and determines genetic risk.

Early onset Alzheimer's disease, which begins before age 60, is even more strongly genetic in its cause, but very rare — it represents less than 2 percent of cases. At this time, Navigenics does not test for this rare kind of Alzheimer's. If you have family members who developed the disease at an early age, you should consult a Navigenics Genetic Counselor.

Fortunately, exercising your body and your mind may improve blood flow to the brain and increase connections between nerve cells, helping compensate for the brain’s degeneration. Recent research suggests you can even generate new brain cells. Trying your hand at the saxophone or Sudoku puzzles can be of benefit in preventing Alzheimer's disease. And seniors with a lively social life are less likely to suffer cognitive decline.

If you begin experiencing serious memory loss or confusion, your doctor can give you a simple mental function test to screen for Alzheimer’s disease. Brain imaging can also be a helpful test for Alzheimer's.