Topic Overview

Research into ways to test DNA (genes) to see if a person is likely to develop Alzheimer's disease is progressing rapidly.

People who have a gene for apolipoprotein E-4 (ApoE-4) may be more likely to develop the disease, but the presence of the gene cannot predict for sure whether a person will develop Alzheimer's disease. Many people who have the ApoE-4 gene do not get Alzheimer's disease, and many people who do not have the gene still develop the disease.

At this time, routine genetic testing for ApoE-4 is not recommended.¹ Knowing that a person has ApoE-4 means only that the person may be at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. There most likely are several other factors that contribute to whether a person develops the disease. Most experts do not consider ApoE-4 testing a necessary or useful part of evaluating a person with suspected Alzheimer's disease.

Genetic testing is being used mostly in research centers to decide whether the test may be useful for more general screening.