As the Alzheimer’s and dementia fields evolve and as new therapies come out, new diagnostic tools are also being developed with the goal of providing answers in more acceptable ways.
With all of these new diagnostic advancements, it can be challenging for clinicians to determine what to order and when. Susan Hahn, a genetic counselor and expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, is joining us from Quest Diagnostics to speak on the newest risk assessment advances including some recently launched tests from Quest and what patient types they make the most sense for.
Providing the patient perspective, we have Rebecca Chopp joining us from the University of Chicago. Rebecca was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about three years ago, and currently serves on the board of Voices of Alzheimer’s as an advocate. She’ll be joining us to speak on her experience receiving a diagnosis and how she has since learned to “live with joy”.
Disclosure:
Rebecca Chopp is a Chancellor of the University of Denver, CO, and has no financial interest in Quest Diagnostics or any other company and/or products that may be discussed in this podcast episode. Susan Hahn is an employee of Quest Diagnostics. Neither of the presenters received any financial compensation for their time developing and presenting content in this episode.
On this episode we discuss:
- An overview of Alzheimer's disease, how it affects the brain and cognition, and some of the early signs and symptoms
- Genes implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and how they are inherited
- The relationship of the APOE gene to Alzheimer’s disease and the three alleles (e2, e3, e4) and how they correlate to risk for developing the condition
- Chris Hemsworth and the APOE e4 allele
- Recommendations for pursuing genetic testing and the limitations of these tests
- Quest’s diagnostic blood test and future applications
- Recommendations to mitigate risk in individuals that have 1 to 2 copies of the e4 version of the APOE gene
- Options for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease
- Rebecca’s diagnostic odyssey, how she has coped with her diagnosis, and how art and spirituality have aided in her positive mindset
Presenters:
Rebecca Chopp, PhD, is a widely published author, editor, and academic in the fields of education, philosophy, religion, and feminism. She served as the 18th, and first female, Chancellor of the University of Denver. She was additionally President of Swarthmore College and Colgate University, and she served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University and as a Dean at Yale University. Chopp has served on the Governing Board of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Olin University, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and American Council on Education. Currently, Rebecca is an Alzheimer's Advocate who serves on the Board of Voices of Alzheimer’s, paints classical portraits and hikes, bikes, and walks Buhdy, her dog. An ordained minister, she is currently working on a book entitled Art, Spirit, Body: Ways to Live While Dying from Alzheimer's.
Susan Hahn, MS, CGC is a highly accomplished, strategic, and charismatic genetics professional who spent the past 2 decades initiating and leading research, outreach, education, and policy activities to facilitate and expand the responsible translation of genomic medicine in the clinical setting. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries and chapters. As a result of her long-standing interest in professional, public, and childhood education, she has developed and administered numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, public outreach events, web resources, conferences, and print materials. As an active leader, Susan has Chaired or Co-chaired numerous committees and task forces for ABGC and NSGC. In 2014, she was President of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Susan currently works for Quest Diagnostics as Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research.
This podcast episode is part of the Podcast Series DNA Today which is hosted and produced by Kira Dineen.
