Alzheimer's Disease and DNA Tests

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia.  It is, currently, incurable, degenerative, and terminal.  Generally, Alzheimer's is diagnosed in people over 65 years of age, although the less prevalent early onset Alzheimer's can occur much earlier.

In the United States, there are currently 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, including their caregivers.  Over the next 40 years, with the expected aging of the U.S. population, Alzheimer's disease will exact a significant toll on the United States, both in terms of health care costs and number of people diagnosed with the disease.

A simple DNA test can evaluate your risk of an Alzheimer's diagnosis.  As mentioned above, today there is no cure for Alzheimer's but an Alzheimer's Association report demonstrates that small and perhaps more readily available treatments to delay the onset or slow the progression of the disease are available.  Small steps taken today may help to improve the quality of life of the person diagnosed with the disease as well as lessen the emotional and financial cost on the family.

It is estimated that Medicare costs are three times higher for the Alzheimer's patient and private health insurance premiums are 26% higher.  Having a DNA test performed by a private DNA collector, (as opposed to your insurance company's designated laboratory) will not impact your health insurance premiums as the report is confidential and only available to the participant.    I don't know about others, but lately I've received "informative pamphlets" from my private health insurance company regarding my health which is obviously based on blood work and/or prescriptions.  I pay them a monthly fee to keep my costs down, not to get involved in my private health issues.  I can't shake the feeling that someone (other than my doctor) is reading my private laboratory reports and compiling information about me that will somehow impact my future. (Perhaps I won't be allowed to live in a "assisted living faciltiy" or an "over 55 community" based on today's tests.)

If you participate in a private DNA test and the results indicate you carry a higher lifetime or genetic risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimers, it is certainly recommended that you  consult with your physician.  You have the option of letting your private health insurance know about your condition by limiting the tests your doctor orders.  Your physician can do an initial assessment of symptoms and determine whether you actually have the disease or it has not yet developed.  It is important to understand that a genetic risk does not necessarily mean the disease will fully develop in certain individuals.  There are significant environmental factors over which you do have control in order to either delay onset or avoid onset.    

Congress is currently reviewing an act to develop a federal plan to address the future impact of Alzheimer's disease on the U.S. population.  (H.R. 4689).  For more information, you can contact the National Alzheimer's Project Act via email at advocacy@alznj.org.