Topic Overview
Research into ways to test
(genes) to see if a person is likely to develop
is progressing rapidly.
People who have a gene for apolipoprotein E-4 (ApoE-4) may be more
likely to develop the disease, but the presence of the gene cannot predict for
sure whether a person will develop Alzheimer's disease. Many people who have
the ApoE-4 gene do not get Alzheimer's disease, and many people who do not have
the gene still develop the disease.
At this time, routine genetic testing for ApoE-4 is not
recommended.1 Knowing that a person has ApoE-4 means
only that the person may be at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. There
most likely are several other factors that contribute to whether a person
develops the disease. Most experts do not consider ApoE-4 testing a necessary
or useful part of evaluating a person with suspected Alzheimer's
disease.
Genetic testing is being used mostly in research centers to decide
whether the test may be useful for more general screening.
References
Citations
Knopman DS, et al. (2001, reaffirmed 2004). Practice
parameter: Diagnosis of dementia (an evidence-based review). Report of the
Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology.
Neurology, 56: 1143–1153.