Parkinson - Alzheimer Dementia (PAD) Testing
An accurate, timely diagnosis of a nonreversible decline in mental function is crucial to ensure a personalized and data-driven treatment plan is provided to the patient. Early-stage support can help avoid unnecessary struggles and expenses associated with missed treatment opportunities. Medex Laboratories offers the Parkinson-Alzheimer- Dementia (PAD) NGS panel, which examines 118 genes associated with an increased risk of developing neuro- cognitive disorders and detects both the diagnostic and risk factor genes for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. While no single test exists to diagnose dementia, PAD testing is an important component in the diagnostic process. Additionally, PAD testing rules out medical conditions that mimic the memory loss symptoms associated with dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease
One type of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is known as autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, or early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), which affects appro- ximately 3-5% of all people with Alzheimer’s. What makes this type of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease so unusual is that it is caused by a hereditary genetic mutation to one of three genes: PSEN1, PSEN2 or APP Genes that increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease are APOE, TREM2 and NOTCH3.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60. It represents a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. FTD’s estimated prevalence in the United States is around 60,000 cases, and many in the medical community remain unfamiliar with it. FTD is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, depression, Parkinson’s disease or a psychiatric condition. On average, it currently takes 3.6 years to get an accurate diagnosis. Up to 40% of patients have a positive family history with a diagnosis of dementia in at least one extra family member. Three major causal genes have been identified: MAPT and GRN.
Patients at risk
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Genetic etiology
Common Symptoms of Neurodegenerative Disease
- Changes in mood or personality – Difficulty having a conversation
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Difficulty moving or controlling one’s movement
- Memory loss
- Confusion with time and place –
- Abnormal results found with imaging of the brain
Potential Benefits With Identification
- Gene More thorough decision-making process
- Treatment plan development
- Psychosocial counseling
- Participation in a research study
- Family risk assessment
