Highest risk Alzheimer's genetic carriers take positive steps after learning risk status

No signs of increased distress, anxiety after learning Alzheimer's risk status, Penn-led study shows

2013-07-16

(Press-News.org) BOSTON - People who found out they carried an uncommon genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease did not experience more anxiety, depression or distress than non-carriers, and were more active in efforts to reduce their risk of Alzheimer's disease - by exercising, eating a healthy diet and taking recommended vitamins and medications - report researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania today at the 2013 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC). Researchers note that this study will inform how research studies and clinical practices reveal genetic and other risk factors to people interested in being tested in the future. "This study informs our understanding of the impact of people finding out their genetic risk for Alzheimer's in the absence of any treatments to prevent dementia," said lead study author Jason Karlawish, MD, professor of Medicine and Medical Ethics and Health Policy in Penn's Perelman School of Medicine. "We saw that, following their genetic counseling session, people took positive steps to mitigate their Alzheimer's risk, such as following a healthy diet and exercising. They might also be willing to join an Alzheimer's dementia prevention trial." As part of the NIH-funded REVEAL study led by Robert Green, MD, at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, an analysis of 648 people tested for the Alzheimer's disease genetic risk marker APOe4 was conducted, where participants learned their risk estimate, based on genotype, gender, ethnicity and family history. Only 4 percent of participants (28 people) were in the highest risk group, carrying two copies of APOe4, while 34 percent (221) had a single copy of the gene and 62 percent (399) carried no genetic risk marker. After a year of following the three groups, there was no inflated perceived risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, nor was there any significant difference between groups for scores on anxiety, depression and test-related distress. "What is the experience of being an APOE4 homozygote? Findings from the REVEAL Study" by Karlawish et al will be presented on Tuesday, July 16 at 12:00pm ET. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (HG002213, HG005092, HG006500 and AG027841. ### Penn Medicine is one of the world's leading academic medical centers, dedicated to the related missions of medical education, biomedical research, and excellence in patient care. Penn Medicine consists of the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania (founded in 1765 as the nation's first medical school) and the University of Pennsylvania Health System, which together form a $4.3 billion enterprise. The Perelman School of Medicine has been ranked among the top five medical schools in the United States for the past 16 years, according to U.S. News & World Report's survey of research-oriented medical schools. The School is consistently among the nation's top recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health, with $398 million awarded in the 2012 fiscal year. The University of Pennsylvania Health System's patient care facilities include: The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania -- recognized as one of the nation's top "Honor Roll" hospitals by U.S. News & World Report; Penn Presbyterian Medical Center; and Pennsylvania Hospital — the nation's first hospital, founded in 1751. Penn Medicine also includes additional patient care facilities and services throughout the Philadelphia region. Penn Medicine is committed to improving lives and health through a variety of community-based programs and activities. In fiscal year 2012, Penn Medicine provided $827 million to benefit our community.

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Weill Cornell presents updated results from Phase 3 trial of IVIG for Alzheimer's disease

2013-07-16

NEW YORK (July 16, 2013) -- Weill Cornell Medical College neurologist Dr. Norman Relkin reported new findings today from the Phase 3 clinical trial of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) in Boston, Mass. While the primary study outcomes were negative, observations from the subgroup analyses include whether there may be a dose-dependent reduction of beta amyloid in the blood and brain of IVIG-treated Alzheimer's patients who have the ApoE4 genotype. IVIG is a mixture ...

Even healthy-looking smokers have early cell damage which destroys necessary genetic programming

2013-07-16

NEW YORK (July 16, 2013) -- Smokers who've received a clean bill of health from their doctor may believe cigarettes haven't harmed their lungs. However, researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have found that even smokers who seem healthy have damaged airway cells, with characteristics similar to cells found in aggressive lung cancer. The study, published today in the journal Stem Cell, compared cells that line the airway from healthy nonsmokers with those from smokers with no detectable lung disease. The smokers' cells showed early signs of impairment, similar ...

Men cut back on needed health care after switching to high-deductible insurance plans

2013-07-16

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Electronic data methods for health care research -- update from the EDM forum

2013-07-16

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Chest radiation cancer patients with risk factors should have CV screening every 5-10 years

2013-07-16

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Each degree of global warming might ultimately raise global sea levels by more than 2 meters

2013-07-16

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New mode of cellular communication discovered in the brain

2013-07-16

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Long-forgotten seawall protected New Jersey homes from Hurricane Sandy's powerful storm surges

2013-07-16

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CAMH scientists discover genetic changes that may contribute to the onset of schizophrenia

2013-07-16

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Owner to dog -- 'Just do it!'

2013-07-16

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Highest risk Alzheimer's genetic carriers take positive steps after learning risk status

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