Genetic Testing In Treatment and Management of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects an estimated 50 million people worldwide. This disease is currently the most common cause of dementia in older adults.

Many people wonder if Alzheimer’s disease runs in their family. Researchers identified multiple genetic variants associated with a risk of Alzheimer’s development: APP (Amyloid precursor protein) gene, PSEN1 (Presenilin 1), PSEN2 (Presenilin 2) genes, and the most well-known genetic risk factor - APOE (apolipoprotein E) that encodes a protein involved with carrying cholesterol through the bloodstream. There are three variants of the APOE gene: APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. APOE4 is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while APOE2 is associated with reduced risk. A genetic test can determine an individual’s APOE genotype. However, having the APOE4 variant does not mean that an individual will develop Alzheimer’s disease, and having the APOE2 variant does not guarantee protection against the disease. Many other factors, such as lifestyle, and environment play a significant role.

To date, there is no single genetic blood test that can definitively predict whether someone will develop Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are genetic tests that can help identify whether an individual has an increased risk of developing the disease and aid in the diagnosis.

This Research Topic is aiming to gather the most up-to-date knowledge on Alzheimer’s disease genetic testing. We accept multi-omics studies as original research as well as comprehensive reviews of the current state of knowledge.