A question about Alzheimer's?

Question

If my paternal grandmother and her father both died of Alzheimer's disease, and my father is still too young to have it, what are my chances of getting it? (I'm female, if it makes any difference.)

Answer 1

No chances for hereditary reasons. Recently, there
has been a lot of research in this field and, depending
on age, it would be wise to consult a Neurologist with
respect to retarding any progress, and there are centres
for those who need help. I am not suggesting that your
Father has the problem, only think you should get
professional advice to calm you down.

Answer 2

The genetic factors associated with dementia


The genetic factors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia can be summarised as follows:

There is no single gene responsible for all cases of dementia
Genetic factors only directly cause the disease in a very small number of families with dementia
Among cases without a family link, there is a genetic component to the disease; however, inherited factors alone do not explain why some people develop it and others do not.
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease


Alzheimer’s disease where there is a family link, called familial Alzheimer’s disease, usually affects younger people (under the age of 65) rather than older people. Only a very small number of families are affected, however. These particular genetic defects can result in people developing Alzheimer’s disease in their 30s and 40s. However, it is important to remember that most cases of early onset Alzheimer’s disease are not inherited.

On average, half of the children of a person with one of these rare genetic defects inherit the disease. Probably all those who inherit the genetic defect develop Alzheimer’s disease at a comparatively early age. People who do not inherit the disease cannot pass it on.

If you have two or more close relatives (a close relative is defined as a parent or brother or sister) who developed Alzheimer’s disease before the age of 60, your GP could advise you about genetic counselling and testing, and refer you to a geneticist if appropriate. You should think carefully before deciding to take a genetic test. The experience might be very difficult emotionally and it could also affect your ability to take out insurance in the future (see Genetic testing and counselling for people at risk of familial dementias below).

Answer 3

All offspring in the same generation have a 50/50 chance of developing Familial Alzheimer’s disease if one of their parents had it.

Therefore, if both of your grandparents had it, there is a 50/50 chance your father will have it. If your maternal grandparents didn't have it, then most likely your mother will not.

Let's say your father inherits it. Now that means since only one of your parents has it, there is a 25% chance you will get it. If both of your parents had it, then your chances increase to 50%. Follow?

Answer 4

The literature will tell you your father's chance of getting it is 50% and if he gets it, your chance is 50% (based on a first degree relative). My dad was diagnosed at age 63 so you know I think about this A LOT--looking back his symptoms started in his mid-50's. He is part of a study to test new Alzheimer's drugs at Yale University, and I talked to the doctor in charge of the study about me getting AD. He said that the 50% ratio is only true if you live to be about 100; that most people will die of something else before the AD kicks in. My dad's maternal aunt died of AD at age 86 the same year my dad got diagnosed. Both of my dad's parents died young so there's no way to know if they would have gotten it too.

Answer 5

The risk of developing Alzheimer’s increases with age.
Below the age of 65, Alzheimer’s is rare, affecting about 1 person in 1000.
Over the age of 65 it affects about 1 in 20.
By the age of 85 nearly 1 in 2 will have the disease.
Being female and having a family history increases your risks. As do heart problems and head injuries.
If there is Alzheimer's on your mother's side of the family this increases risk, if they are free of 'risk genes'*, this can make up for their (possible) presence on your fathers side.
It is hard to know without genetic tests.
Even with them..
So I will go for 1 in 20 by your 65th.

* As opposed to 'you will get it genes', if there was one with your Patn. GM there is 1 in 2 chance she gave it to your father and 1 in 2 it came your way. Total 1 in 4. But very few (1%) Alz. cases are due to 'you will get it genes'.

Answer 6

I would not worry too much about it. You may have a 50% chance of getting it, but my mother had one of the earliest recorded instances of Alzheimer's (in her early 50s) and her other two children and myself are in their 60s and 50s and have no signs.
My own observation is that drinking a lot of alcohol doesn't help, nor does heavy smoking, both of which my Mum did.
If you eat a healthy diet and exercise and keep your mind active with reading, crosswords, whatever, you do not need to worry about Alzheimer's, and worrying won't help anyway.
Good luck and good health!

Answer 7

Firstly, you can get Alzheimers at any age - people in their 30s get it, so it's not true to say that your father is still too young to have it.

Secondly, we don't know if there is a genetic link and even if there is, you would have to have inherited the gene, something we also can't know.

Thirdly - don't worry about it. By the time you've got it, you'll have forgotten what it is!

Answer 8

The chances increase with age but the disease is not discriminatory. Anyone can get it and it appears there are no genetic links. Don't worry about it, an early grave brought on by stress is not what you need. Have a lovely Christmas and an equally lovely life. xx

Answer 9

Sorry to hear about your grand parents, but if you are worried about getting Alzheimer's yourself, you can help yourself to prevent it by taking Ginkgo Biloba each day, it is natural herb that helps with the blood flow to your brain, keeping it more healthy, even if you not at risk (of which I hope you are not) it is worth taking just in case, good luck to you and HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

Answer 10

I don't think the disease discriminates. Medical science doesn't know that much about the disease yet, and much more will have to be learned about it, before we can get any concrete answers about this disease.