|
Post by peasapie on Aug 4, 2016 13:30:40 GMT
Researchers have come up with a faster and affordable blood test method for Alzheimers. The new test detects the presence of a protein in the blood produced by a specific variation of the apolipoprotein gene (ApoE4), which is associated with increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Chances of Alzheimer disease increases three fold when the ApoE4 gene is inherited from one of the parents, and is increased 8–12 times when inherited from both parents. The findings of the new test method were presented at the 68th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Philadelphia.
So would you want to know?
My mom died of Alzheimers at 82. Given there is no cure, I'm debating whether I want to know.
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Aug 4, 2016 13:43:03 GMT
Hmmm. FIL had Alzheimers. I don't know if DH would want to know. It doesn't sound like the presence of the gene is a guarantee that you will get Alzheimers.
On the other hand, if knowing caused you to recognize symptoms and get treatment earlier, you might have a good quality of life for a longer time.
It's a tough question, for sure.
|
|
Kerri W
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,790
Location: Kentucky
Jun 25, 2014 20:31:44 GMT
|
Post by Kerri W on Aug 4, 2016 13:45:16 GMT
Yes. But my personality is such that I can deal with just about anything if I know. I don't do surprise well. I think for *my* mental health, I would want to have the chance if possible to savor the moments and (because I'm a scrapbooker) document or share important to me thoughts and feelings.
|
|
|
Post by secondlife on Aug 4, 2016 13:48:35 GMT
My mom's stepfather had profound Alzheimer's. If I had the option I would absolutely want to know so that I could plan and prepare appropriately. It was hard on our family and I would rather know than not.
I would be a little afraid it would be hard to deal with. It would feel like a burden all the time - wondering if my normal forgetfulness was the onset of symptoms. So that is the flip side.
But all things being equal I would rather know.
|
|
SweetieBsMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,741
Jun 25, 2014 19:55:12 GMT
|
Post by SweetieBsMom on Aug 4, 2016 13:49:17 GMT
I would rather know so I could prepare.
|
|
oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
|
Post by oldcrow on Aug 4, 2016 13:49:28 GMT
I don't think I would want to be tested unless I felt that I was showing symptoms.
If the test is for Alzheimers only that still leaves many, many types of dementia unaccounted for and it would be very disappointing for family to have one test negative for Alzheimers and then suffer some other dementia.
The good thing about the test is that it can help make the figures pertaining to Alzheimers more realistic. Alzheimers is actually only a small percentage of overall dementias. But is a common diagnosis for people showing signs of dementia.
|
|
|
Post by SockMonkey on Aug 4, 2016 13:50:46 GMT
My grandmother died of Alzheimer's. I just assume I am a candidate for it and try to keep my brain as active as possible, exercise, and take care of myself. What else can you do? I also have talked about it with DH so he can be on the lookout for symptoms. I'm only 41, but there is early onset, so I just want to cover my bases.
Short answer: Yeah, I think I would want to know.
I wonder if this is something that the CRISPR technology would address someday?
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 5:31:09 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 13:51:46 GMT
I'd want to know, and it certainly runs in my family. My father and one of his sisters, their mother and 4/5 of her siblings, and my great grandmother all had it. I've been setting up financially for something like that.
|
|
DEX
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,396
Aug 9, 2014 23:13:22 GMT
|
Post by DEX on Aug 4, 2016 13:53:16 GMT
Ugh. My brother and I have this discussion quite often. My Mom died from Alzheimer's at age 62. We believe my Mom's father had it later in life. Neither my brother or I want to know at this point.
|
|
back to *pea*ality
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys ~refugee pea #59
Posts: 3,149
Jun 25, 2014 19:51:11 GMT
|
Post by back to *pea*ality on Aug 4, 2016 13:53:42 GMT
Yes, I would want to know so that I could be proactive in my future. Also, future generations can make the decision if they carry the gene to have children. It is a factor in our family and certainly something now to think about.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 5:31:09 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 13:54:56 GMT
I'm not sure. My Dad has severe dementia and has deteriorated in a very short time, I'm not sure I could live knowing that would be my fate.
|
|
|
Post by gar on Aug 4, 2016 13:57:06 GMT
We lost FIL to this awful disease a couple of years ago. Common sense says yes....get earlier treatment, plan ahead, get things in order etc etc but...I would still hesitate...very scary:frown:
I know I would see symptoms either in myself or in Dh before they were there...i fear it would spoil quality of life in the meantime.
|
|
|
Post by scrapsuzy on Aug 4, 2016 14:12:34 GMT
I would want to know. If I could know right now I would find out. I have some serious medical stuff going on, and if I knew I was at such a greatly increased chance of Alzheimer's, it would probably affect decisions I make now.
|
|
|
Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 4, 2016 14:33:09 GMT
Great question. I believe I am susceptible to this as a grandparent on each side passed with this.
Yes and no. I want to know so I can study and find out what I need to do to put it off or keep my brain in tip top shape.
No, because I don't want to live for 10 or 20 or 30 years knowing and wondering if I am deteriorating, questioning every time I forget something.
I'll have to really think about this, but I'm glad to know it is or will be available.
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on Aug 4, 2016 14:48:38 GMT
I don't think I would want to be tested unless I felt that I was showing symptoms. If the test is for Alzheimers only that still leaves many, many types of dementia unaccounted for and it would be very disappointing for family to have one test negative for Alzheimers and then suffer some other dementia. The good thing about the test is that it can help make the figures pertaining to Alzheimers more realistic. Alzheimers is actually only a small percentage of overall dementias. But is a common diagnosis for people showing signs of dementia. I agree, at least until there is something we can do about a positive test--a preventative or a cure with early detection. My MIL has a form of dementia related to Parkinson's. Her mother had dementia and all four children have/had some form of neurological issues. The two brothers both died of Parkinson's in their 60s and both MIL and her sister have dementia. They thought MIL had Alzheimer's, but it progressed very slowly and was determined to be this other type.
|
|
|
Post by bigbundt on Aug 4, 2016 14:53:55 GMT
Yes, if only to use that info to put my affairs in order, prepare my children, and research resources. I don't think the knowledge of the risk would have a negative impact on my day to day life. I'm just a planner, I like to worry and plan upfront and then I can relax knowing things are already taken care of.
|
|
|
Post by annabella on Aug 4, 2016 14:54:02 GMT
Yes I would. My grandmother died of Alzheimers so my mother takes lots of vitamins and does brain exercises to help prevent it.
|
|
|
Post by Woobster on Aug 4, 2016 14:57:50 GMT
On the other hand, if knowing caused you to recognize symptoms and get treatment earlier, you might have a good quality of life for a longer time. My grandmother had Alzheimer's, and I would absolutely want to know, for this very reason. TFS.
|
|
|
Post by melanell on Aug 4, 2016 15:08:35 GMT
If there was a list of things that could be done to greatly increase your chance of preventing it or holding it off longer or decreasing it's severity, then yes, I would want to know. If I could start treatment before onset, then yes, I would want to know.
But if I had to wait for the symptoms to appear to receive whatever treatment was available at the time, then, no, I wouldn't want to know.
I will say, though, that perhaps, if more people knew that they were very likely to have it one day, that even more time, funding, and effort would be spent to find a cure, which obviously would be a very good thing indeed.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 5:31:09 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 15:18:14 GMT
If genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's, I would find out. I mean, I'm going to worry anyhow, and there's a 50% chance the answer is "stop worrying."
|
|
|
Post by utmr on Aug 4, 2016 15:28:46 GMT
If I could find out earlier in life I would, so that if I had a strong likelihood of Alzheimer's then I would not have biological children to pass it to.
At this stage of life, I don't know that it matters as much. We already have wills, insurance etc, so I don't know what it would change.
|
|
|
Post by crazy4scraps on Aug 4, 2016 15:40:11 GMT
Yes, if only to use that info to put my affairs in order, prepare my children, and research resources. I don't think the knowledge of the risk would have a negative impact on my day to day life. I'm just a planner, I like to worry and plan upfront and then I can relax knowing things are already taken care of. My mom had it, several of her siblings had it and her mom probably had it too. They all lived into their 80's. If I found out early, I would have the option to be proactive vs. reactive. Since the current treatments only slow it down, knowing as early as possible would allow a person to get in front of it quicker to have a better quality of life longer. In our experience once the person starts actually showing signs of having it, the train is already halfway down the track.
|
|
Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,955
Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
|
Post by Nink on Aug 4, 2016 15:43:56 GMT
Yes, I would so I can get all my ducks in a row so my family has a few less things to deal with. Make sure all family photos are labeled while I still know who everyone is, finances in order, arrangements for care down the line if needed etc...
|
|
oldcrow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,828
Location: Ontario,Canada
Jun 26, 2014 12:25:29 GMT
|
Post by oldcrow on Aug 4, 2016 15:44:08 GMT
I notice that many of the posters say they would do things to help slow down the progress or to put off the the onset or plan what should be done with them in the case they get it.
Why not do those things anyway. Even if you do not get any form of dementia you will grow old, get feeble, not be able to look after yourself, or get some physical disease that causes you to be reliant on others.
So plan now whether you have the gene or not.
I am of an age where all these things are becoming real to me. Yes, I should have done all manner of things when I was younger to make myself stronger as an older person but I didn't and I cannot go back in time. And I cannot make up for my lack of forethought now in many ways.
I would say that the majority of members here are 50 or younger. And I am sure that you feel you have lots of time to get your shit together. Well, I am here to tell you that one of these days you are going to wake up and find that you are now old and it is too late to make many of the changes you should have.
I am not a Ms. Doom and Gloom. I am a realist. And that is a result of age. Live your life to the fullest now but do give thought to your elder years they are closer than you think.
|
|
Nink
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,955
Location: North Idaho
Jul 1, 2014 23:30:44 GMT
|
Post by Nink on Aug 4, 2016 15:45:35 GMT
I notice that many of the posters say they would do things to help slow down the progress or to put off the the onset or plan what should be done with them in the case they get it. Why not do those things anyway. Even if you do not get any form of dementia you will grow old, get feeble, not be able to look after yourself, or get some physical disease that causes you to be reliant on others. So plan now whether you have the gene or not. I am of an age where all these things are becoming real to me. Yes, I should have done all manner of things when I was younger to make myself stronger as an older person but I didn't and I cannot go back in time. And I cannot make up for my lack of forethought now in many ways. I would say that the majority of members here are 50 or younger. And I am sure that you feel you have lots of time to get your shit together. Well, I am here to tell you that one of these days you are going to wake up and find that you are now old and it is too late to make many of the changes you should have. I am not a Ms. Doom and Gloom. I am a realist. And that is a result of age. Live your life to the fullest now but do give thought to your elder years they are closer than you think. Great advice. Thank you.
|
|
maurchclt
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,646
Jul 4, 2014 16:53:27 GMT
|
Post by maurchclt on Aug 4, 2016 15:46:58 GMT
No, I'm such a worrier now, my mom had dementia, I worry about getting it all the time. What good would it do me to KNOW? I'd be a crazy person. If there was a cure, great, but without a cure, it would spoil my remaining quality of life.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 5:31:09 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 15:49:26 GMT
No, I'm such a worrier now, my mom had dementia, I worry about getting it all the time. What good would it do me to KNOW? I'd be a crazy person. If there was a cure, great, but without a cure, it would spoil my remaining quality of life. I'm already worried too, so knowing I didn't have the gene would make a big difference to me.
|
|
|
Post by miominmio on Aug 4, 2016 15:52:11 GMT
I notice that many of the posters say they would do things to help slow down the progress or to put off the the onset or plan what should be done with them in the case they get it. Why not do those things anyway. Even if you do not get any form of dementia you will grow old, get feeble, not be able to look after yourself, or get some physical disease that causes you to be reliant on others. So plan now whether you have the gene or not. I am of an age where all these things are becoming real to me. Yes, I should have done all manner of things when I was younger to make myself stronger as an older person but I didn't and I cannot go back in time. And I cannot make up for my lack of forethought now in many ways. I would say that the majority of members here are 50 or younger. And I am sure that you feel you have lots of time to get your shit together. Well, I am here to tell you that one of these days you are going to wake up and find that you are now old and it is too late to make many of the changes you should have. I am not a Ms. Doom and Gloom. I am a realist. And that is a result of age. Live your life to the fullest now but do give thought to your elder years they are closer than you think. Excellent advice.
|
|
|
Post by miominmio on Aug 4, 2016 15:59:00 GMT
And to answer the OP:
I don't know. Both my father's parents developed dementia in their later years (my granddad died aged 79, and my grandma was ten years older when she died), and it doesn't scare me. Becoming old and frail is part of the natural cycle of life. But early onset Alzheimer is a different kettle of fish, and if it ran in my family, I would definitely want to know.
|
|
IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
|
Post by IAmUnoriginal on Aug 4, 2016 16:02:45 GMT
My FIL's wife was very recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's (she's 57). Seeing all of the financial and logistical decisions that FIL and his wife are making right now, I think my answer is yes. I'd want to know. I'd like the time to plan with professionals while I'm still clear to make those decisions.
|
|