Genetics
Anyone with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease, especially those with a first-degree relative with the disease, is at a particularly high risk. For every family member who develops dementia, the risk increases. However, this also is not always 100 percent certain. Many families with a history of Alzheimer’s have seen generations grow up healthily, with no sign of dementia. Sometimes, families with no history of Alzheimer’s disease will have someone get the disease.
If you are concerned about your predisposition for dementia, there is a genetic test for Alzheimer’s disease available. It was found that the gene with the strongest influence in dementia is called apolipoprotein E4, or ApoE4. Those who have inherited one ApoE4 are twice to four times as as likely to develop the disease while those who have two ApoE4 have ten times the risk. Again, this is just risk. Keep in mind that inheritance of such genes also makes it easier to develop dementia earlier in life.
