September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a campaign
created to raise awareness and challenge the many stigmas that surround this
disease. If someone you love has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s then you know
how frustrating, difficult, and confusing the disease can be. And navigating
the situation while continuing to support your loved one can be tough. Medical
researchers are working hard to understand more about Alzheimer’s and answer
one common question: “Is
Alzheimer’s disease genetic?”
Here’s what the latest research says:
There are two types of Alzheimer’s disease:
late onset and early onset. Late onset represents most of Alzheimer’s cases and
people typically start to show signs in their mid-60s or later. While
researchers have not found an identifiable gene responsible for late-onset
Alzheimer’s, there is a gene called the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene that
increases a person’s risk. Everyone inherits two forms of the APOE gene – one
from each biological parent – but inheriting the APOE gene does not necessarily
mean you will get Alzheimer’s. Similarly, people who did not inherit the APOE
gene from either parent are sometimes diagnosed with the disease.
Early onset Alzheimer’s is much more rare,and
usually occurs between ages 30 and 60. While not all cases are genetic, there
are three inherited single-gene mutations believed to be associated with early
onset Alzheimer’s. For a person whose biological parent carries one of these
three genetic mutations, there is a 50% chance that person will inherit the
mutation which may lead to developing early onset Alzheimer’s.
Having a parent who has been diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s disease does not strictly mean you will also get it. Research shows
that if you have a sibling or a parent with Alzheimer’s you are more likely to
develop the disease, but it’s not a guarantee. Alzheimer’s is a type of
dementia and dementias typically run in families but researchers are still
trying to determine if it’s caused by hereditary factors, environmental
factors, or some combination of both.
If Alzheimer’s disease runs in your family,
you can take a blood test to determine if you have any of the genes that
increase your likelihood of being diagnosed. But it’s important to keep in mind
that there is no current test that can tell you definitively if you will
develop the disease or not. In order to monitor for early signs of Alzheimer’s,
experts recommend understanding your family’s medical history, being aware of
the signs and symptoms, having consistent conversations with your doctor, and
checking in with family members regularly.
Assisted living for your loved one
When someone you love receives an Alzheimer’s
diagnosis there are many factors to consider. First and most importantly is
their safety and well-being, and unfortunately most people diagnosed with
Alzheimer’s will struggle to continue living independently after a period of
time. An assisted living facility with around-the-clock care and security, but
that also allows your loved one to maintain their lifestyle and retain their
independence, is often the best way forward.
At United Methodist Communities our residents
enjoy personalized care and have full access to many amenities including
housekeeping and maintenance services, health monitoring, medication
assistance, and more. For those with Alzheimer’s disease, our facility ensures
they are always healthy and safe at all times and you’ll also have peace of
mind knowing they’re being cared for by professionals.
For information about Pitman, our assisted
living community in Gloucester County, please contact us today. We look forward
to hearing from you.
Original Content posted on https://umcommunities.org/health-wellness/is-there-a-genetic-link-to-alzheimers-disease/
