Alzheimer’s Word of the Week
September 26, 2008 by Mary Emma Allen
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Genetics – relating to the scientific study of heredity or relating to the study of one’s genes. In referring to Alzheimer’s, researchers are trying to determine whether there are factors involved with this disease that may indicate that it, or some types, are hereditary.
Since both my mom and her sister (my aunt) had Alzheimer’s disease in their older age, people often ask me if I’m concerned about it being hereditary. Since there isn’t a test we know of at present, there doesn’t seem much point in my worrying about it.
I am naturally concerned and know what signs to look for since I cared for Mother and Auntie. But people develop Alzheimer’s with no history of it in their family, so at this point we don’t know that it’s genetic and that I should worry.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
