Impact of DNA Testing for Early-Onset Familial Alzheimer Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia

Abstract
DNA TESTING for genetic diseases is a relatively new and controversial enterprise. The benefits of relieving anxiety and being better able to plan for the future must be weighed against the potential risks of emotional depression, compromise of insurance and employment, and social isolation.1,2 Formal evaluation of such testing is largely available only for breast cancer and Huntington disease (HD). However, even with these diseases, follow-up is relatively short and the outcomes are only partially evaluated. There is an urgent need for additional information in this field.3