Frequently asked questions

Is Alzheimer's hereditary?

Having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's disease increases your risk, but does not mean that you will develop Alzheimer's.

Family history is not necessary for an individual to develop Alzheimer’s. However, research shows that those who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's are more likely to develop the disease than those who do not have a first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s. Those who have more than one first-degree relative with Alzheimer’s are at an even higher risk. When diseases like Alzheimer's and other dementias tend to run in families, either genetics (hereditary factors), environmental factors — or both — may play a role.

Can I or my family member participate in TRIAGE?

We are currently not recruiting participants. If you or a loved one would be willing to participate in research or clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease, please talk to your physician.

What is my genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease?

There isn't a single cause of Alzheimer's disease. It likely develops from multiple factors, such as genetics, lifestyle and environment. We know that certain factors increase the risk of Alzheimer’s. While some risk factors — age, family history and heredity — can't be changed, emerging evidence suggests there may be other factors we can influence (read more).

We currently have an incomplete understanding of the individual genetic risk, but with the TRIAGE research project, we hope to change this. The long-term goal is to be able to monitor and predict much better who is at high risk of developing Alzheimer's, to attain not only an earlier diagnosis, but also timely treatment.