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[Attitudes towards predictive genetic testing for Alzheimer's disease].
F Illes1, T Bernhardt, K Prell
1Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Abteilungen Gerontopsychiatrie sowie Genetische Epidemiologie in der Psychiatrie, J5, 68159, Mannheim, Germany.
Zeitschrift Fur Gerontologie Und Geriatrie
|June 24, 2006
Summary
Most Germans support Alzheimer's disease (AD) genetic testing, but understanding of risk is limited. Genetic counseling reduced interest in testing, highlighting the need for improved risk communication for neuropsychiatric disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neurogenetics
- Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Bioethics
Background:
- Neuropsychiatric disorders often have complex genetic underpinnings.
- Identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) vulnerability genes offers insights but limited predictive power for individual cases.
- Public attitudes towards genetic testing for neuropsychiatric conditions remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the attitudes of the general population, AD patient relatives, and physicians towards genetic testing for AD.
- To explore the influence of illness knowledge and risk information understanding on these attitudes.
- To evaluate the impact of genetic counseling on interest in predictive genetic testing.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with a representative German general population sample (n=2001), AD patient relatives (n=101), and physicians (n=43).
- Assessment of attitudes towards AD genetic testing and interpretation of risk information.
- Pre- and post-counseling questionnaires for 234 individuals to gauge the effect of genetic counseling.
Main Results:
- 57% of the German population favors general psychiatric genetic testing for AD; 47% expressed interest even with limited explanatory power.
- Genetic counseling decreased interest in personal genetic testing (47% to 38%). Physicians were more hesitant than the general population and relatives.
- Knowledge about AD and risk interpretation skills were limited; the general population and relatives tended to overestimate personal risk.
Conclusions:
- A significant portion of the public supports AD genetic testing, despite limited predictive capabilities and challenges in risk understanding.
- Genetic counseling can temper interest in testing, suggesting its importance in managing expectations and improving informed decision-making.
- Current medical approaches to genetic testing for AD appear reasonable and should be maintained, emphasizing improved risk communication.