Hello, My Mom Was Just Diagnosed With Alzheimer%E2%80%99s Disease At

Posted on Fri, 29 Nov 2019

Question: Hello,
My mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer%E2%80%99s Disease at 55 years old. My understanding is that, because of her age, this is considered Early Onset Alzheimer%E2%80%99s Disease which comes in two forms: familial or sporatic. Aside from her great-grandmother who had late Alzheimer%E2%80%99s, there is no family history of the disease. Both of her parents are alive, well, and Alzheimer%E2%80%99s free at 78 and 88 years old. Can anyone explain whether what she has is more likely to be familial or sporatic? I am obviously concerned about my own risks for developing the disease. I have read conflicting information regarding the disease. Some resources have stated all Early Onset AD is familial and some state otherwise. I was hoping to hear from a neurologist or other AD specialist.
Thank you for your time.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (0 minute later)

Hello,
My mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer%E2%80%99s Disease at 55 years old. My understanding is that, because of her age, this is considered Early Onset Alzheimer%E2%80%99s Disease which comes in two forms: familial or sporatic. Aside from her great-grandmother who had late Alzheimer%E2%80%99s, there is no family history of the disease. Both of her parents are alive, well, and Alzheimer%E2%80%99s free at 78 and 88 years old. Can anyone explain whether what she has is more likely to be familial or sporatic? I am obviously concerned about my own risks for developing the disease. I have read conflicting information regarding the disease. Some resources have stated all Early Onset AD is familial and some state otherwise. I was hoping to hear from a neurologist or other AD specialist.
Thank you for your time.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Very few cases of Alzheimer's are familial.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.

I have read your query.

Most cases of Alzheimer's disease are sporadic.

It is believed that environmental and genetic risk factors trigger the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's.

It is true that familial forms of Alzheimer's exist, mostly those cases with early onset, but these account for less than 5% of overall Alzheimer's patients.

These autosomal dominant cases occur in at least 3 individuals in 2 or more generations.

So, if there is no strong evidence about inherited Alzheimer's disease, in your mother's case it is very likely a sporadic case.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T