Mark Cartwright of Dallas Weighs In on Alzheimer's Testing

NEW YORK, NY, August 22, 2012 (Press-News.org) NPR reports that Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer's Disease (REVEAL), a study to determine how people react to the results of genetic testing that predicts the likelihood that they will develop Alzheimer's disease, has found that knowing their chances of suffering from this condition in the future has not impacted individuals' anxiety or depression rates. Contrary to expectations, these results show that Alzheimer's testing may prove an important part of long-term care and financial planning; however, the article notes that it may impact an individual's ability to purchase life insurance or coverage for long-term care. Mark Cartwright, a psychologist in Dallas, Texas, believes that weighing the pros and cons of testing is imperative.

According to the article, counselors have, since Alzheimer's testing was developed, cautioned people regarding the ways in which it might affect them. Depression and anxiety were major factors about which healthcare professionals were worried.

But the article reports that REVEAL has shown that "people who knew their APOE genetic status were no more anxious or depressed about their chances of developing Alzheimer's than those who didn't. This was true even for subjects who had the E4 genetic variant that conferred the highest risk."

Cartwright believes that serious consideration regarding the consequences of genetic testing should be made; however, he notes that today's Alzheimer's care is more advanced than ever--and that new treatment options are constantly being researched.

"Alzheimer's disease is a condition that is life changing and it affects more and more people every year," asserts Mark Cartwright of Dallas. "I have always been fascinated with the etiology of the disease, as well as potential treatment options. I have been working in long term care facilities all over north and east Texas and have seen a growing need for the facilities and health providers who specialize in the care of seniors who suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Another very important piece of the puzzle is to have ongoing mental health providers who can network with other medical professionals in the community, as a team effort. I have worked with an assisted living nursing facility called Stonebridge at Emeritus for the last four years, and I am very happy with the care that the staff provides, as well as the quality of the facility. This home focuses on and specializes in dementia care and serves patients of varying ages who are fighting Alzheimer's."

ABOUT:

Mark Cartwright is a psychologist located in Dallas, Texas. A specialist in school psychology, Mark Cartwright of Dallas holds master's and doctorate degrees from Ohio State University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio University. After graduating with his doctorate, Mark Cartwright of Dallas completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Dallas Medical Center of the University of Texas Southwestern. Today, he practices as a licensed specialist.