title: Student-Athletes' Views on APOE Genotyping for Increased Risk of Poor Recovery after a Traumatic Brain Injury.
abstract: Use of apolipoprotein E genotyping to personalize the risk of a poor recovery after traumatic brain injury is complicated by the potential for genetic discrimination and the potential to reveal an increased risk for late onset Alzheimer's disease. We developed a survey to gauge interest in testing among athletes participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association programs. Eight hundred and forty seven student-athletes were surveyed to determine their interest in genetic testing, their willingness to share the results of testing with parents, coaches and physicians, their concerns about privacy and/or discrimination, and their interest in genetic counseling. Nearly three quarters of respondents expressed some level of interest in testing, with the largest number describing themselves as 'possibly interested' (54.9 %, n = 463) and a smaller number describing themselves as 'very interested' (18.9 %, n = 159). Most student-athletes said that receiving secondary information about their risk for late-onset Alzheimer's disease made them more likely to test (50.6 %, n = 426) rather than less likely to test (12.4 %, n = 104). Student-athletes were open to apolipoprotein E genotyping and willing to share test results with their parents, coaches and physicians. They did not anticipate that test results would impact their behavior or ability to play. Testing programs may be welcome but should provide clear information as to risks and benefits.
authors.affiliation: Sarah Lawrence College Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY, 10708, USA. lhercher@sarahlawrence.edu.
authors.forename: Laura S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Hercher
authors.affiliation: Sarah Lawrence College Joan H. Marks Graduate Program in Human Genetics, 1 Mead Way, Bronxville, NY, 10708, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caudle
authors.affiliation: Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herzog
authors.affiliation: Medical Genetics Unit, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matviychuk
authors.affiliation: Cancer Risk and Prevention Program, MemorialCare Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Health System, Laguna Hills, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jenna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tidwell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005820:Genetic Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011639:Public Opinion; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E
keywords: APOE; Alzheimer’s disease; Apolipoprotein genotyping; Genetic discrimination; Genetic testing; NCAA; Traumatic brain injury