Assessing Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Families have many things in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Together, these things may offer clues to diseases, like late- and early-onset Alzheimer’s, that can run in a family.
Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
There is no test yet to predict if someone will get late-onset Alzheimer’s, in which symptoms become apparent in a person’s mid-60s. If someone is worried about changes in his or her memory or other problems with thinking, he or she should talk with a doctor.
A doctor may ask the patient to make a family health history. A family health history can help a person know if Alzheimer’s disease runs in the family. It lists health facts about a person and close relatives. It is a written record of:
- A family’s health conditions
- Lifestyle habits like smoking and exercise
- Where and how family members grew up
A family health history can show patterns of disease and risk factors. Try to include health facts about three generations—grandparents, parents, and children.
People can’t change the genes they inherit from their parents, but they can change things like diet, physical activity, and medical care to prevent diseases that may run in the family.
Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease
There is a test to learn if a person has one of the three genetic variants associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s.
If someone has a family history of early-onset Alzheimer's, he or she should talk with a doctor about getting tested.
A doctor may suggest meeting first with a genetic counselor. This type of counselor helps people learn the risk of getting genetic conditions. They also help people make decisions about testing and what comes next.
For More Information About Assessing Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
NIA Alzheimer’s and related Dementias Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center
800-438-4380
adear@nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers
The NIA ADEAR Center offers information and free print publications about Alzheimer’s and related dementias for families, caregivers, and health professionals. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.
Alzheimers.gov
www.alzheimers.gov
Explore the Alzheimers.gov website for information and resources on Alzheimer’s and related dementias from across the federal government.
National Human Genome Research Institute
www.genome.gov/health
This content is provided by the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date.
Content reviewed:
December 30, 2019
