DNA Alzheimer’s Disease Test

Brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease, which means that the nerve cells (neurons) are dying in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Two abnormal structures, plaques and tangles, are detected in affected brains and are the prime suspects for increasing cell death and tissue loss. Plaques, made of a protein called beta-amyloid, stop the nerve cells from talking to each other. Tangles form when tau, a protein that normally forms parallel strings inside nerve cells, crumbles down to twisted messes. Without the proper tau tracks, cells are unable to move nutrients and other essential supplies around. It is thought that the build up of plaques and tangles ultimately causes cell death, as seen in Alzheimer’s disease brains.

Warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease

• Memory loss that disturbs daily life
• Challenges in planning or solving problems
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Confusion with time or place
• Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
• New problems with words in speaking or writing
• Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• Decreased or poor judgement
• Withdrawals from work or social activities
• Changes in mood or personality

Reducing your risk or Alzheimer’s disease

An understanding of your genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease encourages early monitoring and enables drug treatment to begin at early stages to delay progression of the disease. At-risk individuals should also focus on these six established ways to aid in a healthy elderly life:

• Nutritious diet
• Social engagement
• Adequate sleep
• Physical activity
• Mental stimulation
• Stress management

APOE genetics

The APOE gene encodes for apolipoprotein E, which is involved in transporting fats, neuronal growth, nerve regeneration, immunoregulation and injury repair in the central nervous system.

APOE is on chromosome 19 and each of us has two copies of APOE – one inherited from each parent. There are three forms or alleles of APOE – APOE e2, APOE e3 and APOE e4. We each inherit 1 of 6 possible combinations, known as our APOE genotype.

Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Order test kit online

Step 2: Collect DNA sample using a painless mouth swab, and mail to the lab in the provided return envelope

Step 3: Receive your results online

Click here for more details and to watch our explanatory video.