Genetic susceptibility testing for Alzheimer disease: motivation to obtain information and control as precursors to coping with increased risk.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated appraisals, including motivation, and coping preferences for undergoing Apolipoprotein E (APOE) susceptibility testing for Alzheimer disease (AD).


METHODS
Participants were 60 adult children of individuals affected with AD enrolled in a trial investigating use and impact of APOE susceptibility testing. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken in which participants were interviewed about their testing experience.


RESULTS
Most participants viewed genetic testing as providing valuable information that could help direct future health care decisions and meet their emotional concerns about living at increased risk. Participants related their motivation for genetic testing to their worries about developing AD, preference to seek information about health threats, and need to feel in control of their health.


CONCLUSIONS
Even without prevention or treatment options, genetic testing may be a useful coping strategy for some at-risk individuals.


CONCLUSIONS
Once testing becomes clinically available, practitioners need to address the value and limitations of testing as well as appraisals and efforts to cope.
Gooding
Holly C
HC
Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California School of Public Health, Berkeley, CA, USA.
Linnenbringer
Erin L
EL
Burack
Jeffrey
J
Roberts
J Scott
JS
Green
Robert C
RC
Biesecker
Barbara B
BB
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000097:blood; D001900:Boston; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D003657:Decision Making; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D005820:Genetic Testing / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001057:Apolipoproteins E