Why Smart Genetics Offers Alzheimer’s Mirror™

According to the NIH, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease . Someone new is diagnosed every 72 seconds. Although there is currently no known cure or doctor-recommended preventative for Alzheimer’s disease, people are becoming increasingly interested to learn how, and whether, the disease may affect their own lives. Ever since researchers uncovered a link between APOE genetic status and Alzheimer’s risk, more and more people have become eager to learn about their own APOE makeup, and to use this information to plan for their futures.^ii,iii The Alzheimer’s risk assessment that Smart Genetics offers is vital information that individuals can use to make informed decisions about later-life planning.

Smart Genetics offers Alzheimer’s Mirror™ for the following reasons:

• Some people want the information.
  According to clinicians and researchers, individuals consistently request APOE testing for Alzheimer’s risk^iv.
• The information is valuable to the individual
  REVEAL shows us that individuals overwhelmingly value learning their APOE status. Knowledge of their genetic risk of Alzheimer’s disease allows people to:
  • To Feel Empowered
    In matters of Alzheimer’s risk, many people find that knowledge equals power.
  • To Relieve Anxiety
    For some people, seeing concrete numbers and understanding Alzheimer’s risk in practical terms helps to relieve anxiety about getting Alzheimer’s disease, whether or not they find that they themselves have a genetic risk. Our completely confidential service also ensures that employers and insurance companies will never have access to your results.
  • Get Motivated
    For family members of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, the ability to assess their own risk of Alzheimer’s can be especially important . Many of them feel that knowing their risk provides added motivation to:
    • Prepare family members for the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s disease
    • Plan for the future
    • Make lifestyle changes that may lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
    • Stay informed and up-to-date about new developments in Alzheimer’s treatment and prevention
    • Participate in clinical research trials for Alzheimer’s disease

Smart Genetics believes that Alzheimer’s Mirror provides accurate, personalized, and useful information to individuals concerned about their chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Next: Resources                    I'm ready to purchase my test.

ⁱⁱG.A. Chase, et al. Physicians' propensity to offer genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease: results from a survey, Genet Med 4 (2002), pp. 297–303
ⁱⁱⁱAnn C. Hurley, RN, DNSc, FAAN et al. Genetic Susceptibility Alzheimer’s Disease: Why Did Adult Offspring Seek Testing; American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Volume 20, Number 6, November/December 2005
^ivAnn C. Hurley, RN, DNSc, FAAN et al. Genetic Susceptibility Alzheimer’s Disease: Why Did Adult Offspring Seek Testing; American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias Volume 20, Number 6, November/December 2005
^vRoberts et al; Genetic Risk Assessment for Adult Children of People With Alzheimer’s Disease: The Risk Evaluation and Education for Alzheimer’s Disease (REVEAL) Study; Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology / Vol. 18, No. 4, December 2005