U-M Study Will Test For Alzheimer's Risk
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - In a first-of-its-kind study, University of Michigan researchers will provide genetic testing and Alzheimer's risk estimates for those who already have noticeable memory and thinking problems.
Scott Roberts, an associate professor at the U of M School of Public Health, said they are still looking for people to take part in the study.
"If one has been classified as having this mild cognitive impairment, that's the group that we're interested in participating in this survey," said Roberts.
Researchers hope to learn how people with mild cognitive impairment and their caregivers respond to the genetic testing as well as the risk assessment.
"Those people who receive this intervention will be looking at behavioral changes they might make. We'll be looking at their comprehension of the information," said Roberts.
"We want people to recognize that just because they may have this genetic risk factor, it's neither necessary nor sufficient to cause Alzheimer's. So we want people to recognize it's just an elevated risk and not their destiny necessarily," he said.
Roberts said, throughout the course of the study, participants will be followed for about a year.
Recruitment will continue through spring 2012. Those aged 55 to 90 are welcome. For those interested in enrolling in the study, contact Lan Le at (734) 615-2422 or revealstudy@umich.edu.
