Answers to your questions about AD

Welcome to our series “Ask the Expert.” Each quarter, we’ll highlight an Alzheimer’s expert to answer your most frequent questions about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Fall 2009:
Today’s expert is David Oliver, PhD from the Assistant Director of MU Interdisciplinary Center on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association Mid-MO Chapter Board Member

Question: “My mother has late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and I’m worried that I will develop the disease as well. Is it likely that I’ve inherited Alzheimer’s disease from her?”

Answer: Your question about heredity is one that I have heard many times during the 40 years I have practiced gerontology. Those of us who have relatives with
Alzheimer’s disease are especially aware of the challenges of living with it, and, it’s only natural to have concerns about whether we will acquire the disease.

While the reasons for Alzheimer’s are not fully understood, most experts agree there is no single cause. It is thought that environmental, social and genetic factors all play a role.  Scientists have discovered that approximately 40% of all people who develop late-onset Alzheimer’s have inherited a gene called apoliproprotein E4 (APOE4), but many of us have this gene and never develop the disease. Your doctor can order a blood test that can identify if you have APOE4, but this test cannot predict for sure if you will develop late-onset AD. Therefore, we do not currently advise families to undergo this test.

The largest genome-wide association study ever conducted involving persons with AD confirmed the importance of APOE4 and identified two new genes (APOJ and PICALM) that may also play a role (see related article). It is expected that more genes will be discovered that relate to this cunning, baffling disease.

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While a genetic risk factor cannot be changed, there are steps you can take to contribute to your overall health and perhaps even protect yourself from Alzheimer’s. A healthy cardiovascular system brings oxygen-rich blood and necessary nutrients to your brain. Work with your health-care provider to keep your cholesterol and blood pressure at healthy levels, exercise regularly, and eat a
balanced diet.

I have one final comment. Early-onset of AD (before age 60) has a different genetic pattern. Specific genetic mutations have been identified on chromosomes 21, 14, and 1 – affecting only 5% or so of all people who have AD. Offspring in the same generation from these rare families have a 50/50 chance of getting the gene.
 

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Summer 2009:
Today's expert is Pam Richmond, Family Services Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Missouri Chapter.

Question: “My mom’s doctor told us to call the Alzheimer's Association, but I really don’t know what you can do to help us.”

Answer: “One of the frequent questions I get from Helpline callers is ‘What services do you have to offer?’ We have a wealth of services to offer and I’ll highlight a few.

Our experienced Care Consultants are available to answer your questions about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and to direct you towards helpful services. You can reach us by phone at 573-443-8665 or at our toll-free Helpline 800-272-3900. Helpline is answered 24 hours a day, ensuring you’ll always have someone to assist with your needs. Our Care Consultants want to find out the challenges you face and what we can do to help.

Safe Return® + MedicAlert® is a signature program offered by the Alzheimer’s Association to assist with wandering associated with AD. If an individual with AD wanders, caregivers can call the emergency response line to report it. A community support network is activated to help reunite the family member or caregiver with the person who wanders. The program is highly effective and provides peace of mind.

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Our support groups are available throughout central and northeast Missouri (see complete list) and include specific groups for men caring for women with AD, women caring for their mates, and adult children. Our support group facilitators are informed, dedicated people working to make each meeting meaningful and helpful.

Respite is an immense help to caregivers and one of our most important services. Respite refers to the time caregivers need to take a break from caregiving and leave a loved one in someone else’s care. Our program provides money each month to encourage respite. Our respite recipients are at all different stages of the disease process. Some families hire a neighbor to come and keep the person with dementia company while the caregiver runs errands; others use the funding to pay for professional caregivers for those in the late-stages of AD. The decision is yours.

The Alzheimer’s Association is active in advocacy and funding research. We advocate for legislation that affects our families and we are the largest private funder of Alzheimer research.

This is just a sample of the services we offer. To learn more, give me a call and we can work through your personal situation.

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