Will you have Alzheimer's disease if your parent has it?

<p class = "canvas-atom-web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "After discovering one of your parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters or other family members has Alzheimer's disease, you might ask yourself, Does this mean that I will also be suffering from Alzheimer's disease? It's a natural thought, especially after you've seen reports on families in which several members of several generations have the disease. But the answer to the question "If my mother has Alzheimer's, does that mean I'm more likely to have it?" Is not a simple yes or no. "Data-reactid =" 22 "> After discovering one of your parents, grandparents, siblings or other family members with Alzheimer's disease, you might wonder, Does this mean that I will also be suffering from Alzheimer's disease? It's a natural thought, especially after you've seen reports on families in which several members of several generations have the disease. But the answer to the question "If my mother has Alzheimer's, does that mean I'm more likely to have it?" Is not a simple yes or no.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Here are the facts you need to know:"data-reactid =" 23 ">Here are the facts you need to know:

1. Scientists can not say for sure whether Alzheimer's disease is hereditary or not.

There is a rare type of Alzheimer's disease, called early-stage familial Alzheimer's disease (ADF), which is known to be genetic and will appear in the family tree. However, this represents only 5% of all Alzheimer's cases.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "For the rest, Alzheimer's research n & # 39; is inconclusive: some studies indicate that parents or siblings with Alzheimer's disease have slightly higher risk to develop it themselves. But experts are reluctant to say for sure if you are much more likely to develop Alzheimer's if a family member suffers. "Data-reactid =" 26 "> For the rest, research on Alzheimer's disease is inconclusive.Some studies indicate that parents who have Alzheimer's disease have a slightly higher risk to develop it themselves, but experts are reluctant to say for sure if you are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer's if a member of your family is affected.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Related:The largest shopping center The ideas that worked for me while taking care of my mother with Alzheimer's disease"data-reactid =" 27 ">Related:The ideas that worked for me while taking care of my mother with Alzheimer's disease

Patrick Lyden, MD, a professor of neurology at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told The Mighty that this idea had made its way into the public mindset, probably because of reporting on the hereditary rare dementias of the family, but it does not exist. There is no risk for Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it's one of the most common misconceptions that he encounters.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = ""IIf you have a parent with Alzheimer's disease and you're worried about your risks, we do not really know, "said Lyden. "In some cases, they are hereditary, but often when you talk about something that is so common, it may be just a coincidence. ""data-reactid =" 29 ">"IIf you have a parent with Alzheimer's disease and you're worried about your risks, we do not really know, "said Lyden. "In some cases, they are hereditary, but often when you talk about something that is so common, it may be just a coincidence. "

2. There is a genetic test for the "Alzheimer's gene", but it does not predict if you will get the disease.

<p class = "canvas-atom web-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Scientists have identified a gene, called APOE, which has it has been shown to affect the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Genetic test, for example through the 23andMe home testing company, offers a test that will determine if you own the version of the gene, called APOE-e4, associated with an increase of 15 to 20% risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Each person has zero, one or two copies of APOE-e4, and the more you have, the greater your risk. "Data-reactid =" 31 "> Scientists have identified a gene, called APOE, that could potentially affect your genetic testing, for example through the 23andMe home testing company, offer a test that determines if you have the version of the gene, called APOE-e4, associated with a gene of 15 to 20. Percentage increase in the probability of developing Alzheimer's disease.Everyone has zero, one or two copies of APOE- e4, and the more you have, the greater your risk.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Related:The largest shopping center States request tax credits for caregivers"data-reactid =" 32 ">Related:States request tax credits for caregivers

However, it is important to remember that even if you have the "bad gene" it does not necessarily mean that you are going to get Alzheimer's disease. All carriers of the gene at risk do not develop Alzheimer's disease, and not all carriers of the disease have the gene at risk. This test is not predictive.

3. There are other risk factors that are more important than genetics.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "While genetics and hereditary factors may or may not contribute a lot of risk, other factors to have it has been shown that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced These include: cholesterol and blood pressure, by avoiding type 2 & nbsp;Diabetes by maintaining your ideal weight, and exercise. Socialization is another important risk factor – studies in mice have shown that even in mice raised for the development of Alzheimer's disease, leads to the mice develop Alzheimer's disease later in their lives. Human studies have also found that loneliness increases the risk of Alzheimer's. "data-reactid =" 35 "> While genetics and hereditary factors may or may not contribute to risk, other factors to have It has been shown that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced These include: Controlled cholesterol and blood pressure, avoid type 2 diabetes by maintaining your ideal weight and by doing so. 39; exercise. Socialization is another important risk factor – studies in mice have shown that even in mice raised to catch Alzheimer's disease, being housed in the company has led to later development of Alzheimer's disease. in their life. Human studies have also shown that loneliness increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = ""Anyone who has a thought or who thinks about dementia with the exercise program, with the Mediterranean diet, with weight loss, "said Lyden. "You will do more for yourself in this regard than all the genetic tests in the world.""data-reactid =" 36 ">"Anyone who has a thought or a desire about dementia is thinking about the exercise program, the Mediterranean diet, weight loss," said Lyden. "You will do more for yourself in this regard than all the genetic tests in the world."

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Related:The largest shopping center 10 surprising truths about Alzheimer's disease"data-reactid =" 37 ">Related:10 surprising truths about Alzheimer's disease

4. Finding your genetic or hereditary risk may not affect you in the end.

Because risk factors such as blood pressure and diet have more influence than genetics (and you can actually do something to reduce them as risk factors), you may eventually decide not to really know your genetic or hereditary risk. Anyone, whether or not they have a family member with Alzheimer's disease, can benefit from reducing their risk.

<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = ""Many of my patients decide against [genetic testing]. Because what are you going to do? You will go on a diet and exercise, "Lyden said. "So, if you go on a diet and exercise anyway, why bother to find out that you have this gene.""data-reactid =" 40 ">"Many of my patients decide against [genetic testing]. Because what are you going to do? You will go on a diet and exercise, "Lyden said. "So, if you go on a diet and exercise anyway, why bother to find out that you have this gene."