Are you at risk for Alzheimer's? Learn about the APOE Gene Test

Has anyone in your family, maybe a grandmother or grandfather, had Alzheimer's disease? When that happens, it's very normal to have a little fear in your mind, "Oh, will I get this disease too?" That's when this APOE gene test comes into the spotlight. Can it really predict our future? Let's talk about everything simply and clearly.

What is this APOE gene test?

Simply put, the APOE gene test is a genetic test that looks at the genotype of a gene called apolipoprotein E. If you have certain variants of this gene, you may be at slightly higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than others .

But the most important thing here is this. Just because you have a higher risk doesn't mean you will definitely get sick. Imagine there are dark clouds in the sky. That means there is a chance of rain, but it doesn't mean it will definitely rain. That's how it is. Our health is affected not only by our genes, but also by many other things, such as what we eat, whether we exercise, and our lifestyle.

Therefore, it is very important to talk to your doctor to understand the results of this test.

Okay, so what is this APOE gene?

The gene APOE tells our body's cells to make a special protein called apolipoprotein E. This protein does a very important job. It combines with the fats (lipids) in our body and carries things like cholesterol to where they need to be in the blood, like a taxi. We call this a lipoprotein.

There are three main variants, or alleles, of the APOE gene in our bodies.

We all inherit two copies of this gene, one from our mother and one from our father. So you can have a combination of any two of these three variants (e.g. e3/e3, e3/e4, e2/e4).

Which of these genes is associated with Alzheimer's disease?

First of all, no gene has yet been found to directly cause Alzheimer's disease . However, research has found that having even one copy of the APOE-e4 gene variant increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

• APOE-e4: People with one or two copies of this gene variant have an increased risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease, which develops after the age of 65.
• APOE-e2: This is a bit of good news. This gene variant may offer some protection against Alzheimer's disease. Even if someone with this gene does develop the disease, it usually happens much later than someone with APOE-e4.

How do you do this test? Who does it?

This is not a test that you are forced to take. It is something that is done on your own free will. If there is a history of Alzheimer's disease in your family, you may be interested in learning about this. In that case, you can talk to your doctor and find out more about this.

The test is very simple:

1. Obtaining a DNA sample: A doctor will obtain a DNA sample from you. This can be done by taking a small amount of blood or by swabbing the inside of your mouth or cheek with a small swab.

2. Sending to the laboratory: This sample is sent to a special laboratory for testing.

3. Delivering the results: The lab tests your DNA and sends the results back to your doctor.

4. Discussing the results: Then, your doctor or a genetic counselor will talk to you and explain what these results mean.

There are now at-home genetic tests available in some countries. However, even if you get results from one, it is still important to talk to your family doctor to understand the exact details.

What do we learn from the results?

The test results tell you which variants (alleles) of the APOE gene you have.

What does APOE4 positive mean?

"APOE4 positive" means that you have at least one copy of the APOE-e4 gene in your DNA.

What is the risk of developing Alzheimer's if you have APOE4?

Between 15% and 25% of the world's population has one copy of the APOE-e4 gene. Between 2% and 5% have both copies. Having even one copy can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's.

But, I repeat, this is not a test that confirms the presence of a disease. It only tells you about the risk.

If the results show that the risk is high, your doctor may tell you to do things like:

• Regular exercise: Doing exercises that make you sweat at least a few days a week.
• Get good sleep: Sleep at least 7-8 hours a day.
• Being social: spending time with friends and relatives, participating in social activities.
• Challenging the brain: Things like solving puzzles, reading books, learning a new language or musical instrument.

Can knowing these results affect the mind?

Yes, absolutely. When we learn the results of a genetic test like this, it can affect us in many ways. You may feel scared, anxious, or angry. Sometimes, the results may not give you the clear answer you were hoping for.

Remember, no matter what your genes are, there are many things you can do to reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease. The best advice for this is to talk to your doctor.