Disclosing genetic risk for Alzheimer's dementia to individuals with mild cognitive impairment
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
Introduction: The safety of predicting conversion from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia using apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping is unknown. Methods: We randomized 114 individuals with MCI to receive estimates of 3-year risk of conversion to AD dementia informed by APOE genotyping (disclosure arm) or not (non-disclosure arm) in a non-inferiority clinical trial. Primary outcomes were anxiety and depression scores. Secondary outcomes included other psychological measures. Results: Upper confidence limits for randomization arm differences were 2.3 on the State Trait Anxiety Index and 0.5 on the Geriatric Depression Scale, below non-inferiority margins of 3.3 and 1.0. Moreover, mean scores were lower in the disclosure arm than non-disclosure arm for test-related positive impact (difference: -1.9, indicating more positive feelings) and AD concern (difference: -0.3). Discussion: Providing genetic information to individuals with MCI about imminent risk for AD does not increase risks of anxiety or depression and may provide psychological benefits.
Recommended Citation
Christensen, Kurt D.; Karlawish, Jason; Roberts, J. Scott; Uhlmann, Wendy R.; Harkins, Kristin; Wood, Elisabeth M.; Obisesan, Thomas O.; Le, Lan Q.; Cupples, L. Adrienne; Zoltick, Emilie S.; Johnson, Megan S.; Bradbury, Margaret K.; Waterston, Leo B.; Chen, Clara A.; Feldman, Sara; Perry, Denise L.; and Green, Robert C., "Disclosing genetic risk for Alzheimer's dementia to individuals with mild cognitive impairment" (2020). College of Medicine Faculty Publications. 257.
https://dh.howard.edu/med_fac/257
