DNA test for dementia,would you ?

[porthtowanone]

Just wanted to ask for some opinions,both my parents have dementia ,i have seen there is a DNA test for dementia ,would you want to know ,i think i do but keep changing my mind ,thanks

No. I would rather not know.

I don't think I would. No test can give you 100% accuracy.

My great-aunt had dementia and DM has it now. I think environment and lifestyle can come into play too.

Yes. At least I could prepare. And hopefully it would be less of a shock for the people around me too. Not that it would make it any more pleasant of course.

Being prepared is a great idea. The letters to family is a brilliant Idea.

I would be afraid that testing positive for dementia would cast a shadow on a whole lot of lives.

No. I'm adopted so I have no medical history but my dad has dementia so I think my family would all notice the signs if I became demented. Given it's generally years between first symptom and diagnosis, that would be enough time to put my affairs in order.

I'd also be worried that, if I was expecting it, every time I forgot something I'd assume the end was nigh when, really, I'd just forgotten something.

There is no genetic test for dementia . Some genetic types will increase your risk ,but you can have the high risk genes and not get dementia.

As above there is no one test for dementia. And there are lots of types for dementia, some linked to other illness.
Some families definately have a familial link and a higher risk but it is not a given that other members will get it too.

No. I'm pretty sure I will get it if I live past 80 as my grandparents all did. I would never want to know the bad things that are ahead. I worry enough as it is!

My mum and dad were relatively young when they were first diagnosed ,so I suppose in a way I can see time passing me by and wondering what lies in store for me .I know that no one knows what lies in store but im a person who likes to be prepared so to speak .

My mum, and her mum both had dementia, and I do wonder about my risk. But equally, since theres no predictive test (and lets face it, they struggle to make a definitive diagnosis of someone with dementia), I'm very motivated to do all I can to be as healthy as possible to reduce the factors I do control.