Apolipoprotein E-4 Genetic (DNA) Test
Topic Overview
Research into ways to test
DNA (genes) to see if a person is likely to develop
Alzheimer's disease 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.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
Peter J. Whitehouse, MD - Neurology |
|
Last Revised
|
November 9, 2010 |
Last Revised:
November 9, 2010
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.
