Alzheimer's disease affects more than 10 percent of Americans 65 and older, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. As the population ages, more people are considering genetic testing for Alzheimer’s disease.

While this type of test can provide insight into a person’s risk factors, it is important to understand both the positives and negatives that come with such a test. How do you know if genetic testing for Alzheimer’s is right for you? Our expert Gary Small, M.D., chair of Psychiatry at Hackensack University Medical Center, weighs in.

Who Might Consider Genetic Testing?

While a person can develop Alzheimer’s without any family history of the disease, people who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s are more likely to develop the disease. Having more than one first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s further increases that risk. When Alzheimer’s runs in families, genetics may play a role.

If a patient has a high incidence of Alzheimer’s in their family, Dr. Small says, they may be referred to a genetic counselor. “A person might have a cousin or father who had the disease, or a grandfather who got it in his 80s or 90s,” he says. “This occasional instance is not likely a case of genetic mutations, but rather genetic risk.”

Here’s what that means:

• Genetic risk: A person may have a form of a gene that is relatively common and may contribute to the presence of the disease but is not enough to cause the disease on its own. Unlike in the case of mutation, those who carry the genetic risk factor may not necessarily develop the disease.
• Genetic mutation: Genetic mutations are very rare and occur when there is an error in the DNA. These mutations occur in situations in which one may find about 50 percent of the family affected. The presence of the gene is enough to diagnose the presence or risk of the disease.
  
  

Risks of Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease

Before undergoing any kind of genetic test, it is important to understand the possible risks involved. 

Dr. Small does not always recommend screening for genetic risk. “I feel that it doesn't provide that much more conclusive information for people,” he says. “There's also the risk that it can make people anxious.”

Some people find psychological distress associated with learning about their own personal health risks as well as potential risks for family members. For this reason, counseling services should always be considered with any sort of genetic testing. A genetics counselor can help you understand the potential emotional impact of test results as well as possible implications of the test.

If you believe you may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, share your concerns with your doctor, who can advise you on how to proceed.

Reducing Your Risk of Alzheimer’s

In addition to genetics, environmental factors and lifestyle contribute to overall risk for Alzheimer’s. Fortunately, many of these factors are within your control.

To reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s, Dr. Small recommends:

• Regular exercise: Exercise positively impacts brain health, so aim to engage in about two hours of moderate-intensity exercise—like brisk walking or jogging, swimming or jumping rope—every week.
• Managing stress: Because there is a correlation between mental illness and cognitive decline, seek professional help for depression or anxiety.
• Getting a good night's sleep: Try to get enough sleep so you feel rested the next day, and seek treatment for sleep-related conditions, like insomnia or sleep apnea, that may prevent you from getting quality shut-eye.
• Consuming a Mediterranean-style diet: While specific dietary recommendations have not been established for preventing Alzheimer’s, Mediterranean-style diets, rich in olive oils, fish and nuts, may have power in maintaining cognitive health. 
• Staying socially active: Being involved in a club or volunteering has been shown to ward off mental decline to some degree.
  
  

Next Steps & Resources:

• Meet our source: Gary Small, M.D.
• To make an appointment with a memory care or brain health specialist near you, call 800-822-8905 or visit our website.

The material provided through HealthU is intended to be used as general information only and should not replace the advice of your physician. Always consult your physician for individual care.