| Sumario: | Part of a special issue on the genetics of aging. The writers consider the use of genetic screening in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a genetically complex and heterogeneous disorder, and growing frustration and anxiety in society regarding the disease and the need for early diagnosis and prediction have been paralleled by intensive genetic investigations over the past two decades. At present, there are two types of genetic tests marketed for Alzheimer's disease, but both are of limited value. At some point, early diagnosis and prediction of Alzheimer's disease using reliable genotypic profiling protocols will be available, but these measures will have to be executed with much care and under strict guidelines. The value of genetic testing currently, differs for early-onset versus late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Genetic testing will be most beneficial if the information can be employed to custom-tailor pharmaceutical or other therapies to prevent or treat the disease.
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