Genetic Testing

didihamrick

Is an order for genetic testing routine for those diagnosed with AZ?

South Dakota Dave

It helped for me with the APOE 3/4 genes; my family for their AD info; for Leqembi they required my gene info.

LBC83

I am always comforted when I find that my replies dovetail nicely with South Dakota Dave :)

As a reminder, I'm a retired Engineer and not a Neurologist. So I am not an expert in this area.
With that preamble, genetic testing does seem to be a routine part of the diagnosis process for AD.

In particular, if somebody is considering taking one of the monoclonal antibodies (i.e. Leqembi or Kisunla), then a genetic testing is required prior to starting the medication. They key item is the APOE4 gene. If you are a homozygote for APOE4 (meaning you inherit a copy from each parent), then as I understand it, you are more likely to develop AD, and you are more likely to have problems with brain bleeding (called ARIA) if taking a monoclonal antibody. I am a heterozygote for APOE4 (I have one copy from one parent), so I have a moderate risk of ARIA with Leqembi/Kisunla. People with no copies of APOE4 have the lowest risk for ARIA with these drugs.