NiaHealth Introduces APOE Testing
At NiaHealth, we’re introducing APOE testing.
Many people are curious about their risk for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, the type that develops after age 65.
Late-onset Alzheimer’s is shaped by a complex mix of factors. Genes play a role, but our risk is influenced by many genes with small effects that add up over time. Researchers are still learning how these work together.
One gene stands out because its impact on our risk is clearer and better understood. That gene is called APOE.
You may have heard the term APOE4. APOE4 is one version of the APOE gene that is associated with increased risk.
There are a few key things to know.
- APOE does not determine whether someone will develop Alzheimer’s.
- Many people with APOE4 never develop the disease. And many people who develop Alzheimer’s do not carry APOE4.
- It is a risk factor, not a diagnosis.
- APOE is also involved in how the body handles cholesterol, linking it to heart health. Because heart and brain health are closely connected, this adds important context in a preventive setting.
- Knowing your APOE status does not predict the future. It can, however, help you focus on habits that support long-term brain health.
At NiaHealth, we support you before and after testing with genetic counselling, and your results are reviewed within the context of your broader health profile.
APOE testing is about understanding one piece of your risk and using that information thoughtfully.
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