The APOE gene has three common variants (e2, e3, and e4). Carrying one or two copies of APOE e4 is associated with an elevated risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The test is a one-time genetic analysis. Knowing your APOE status does not determine outcome (lifestyle and cardiometabolic factors have substantial modifying effects), but it does inform how aggressively preventative strategies are pursued in domains such as cardiovascular risk, sleep, exercise, and metabolic health.
APOE and related hereditary cognitive testing is included at the highest tier of both the Menopause and Longevity programs. Results are discussed with your physician with attention to the psychological weight of the information, the current evidence on what the result does and does not mean, and the concrete implications for your care plan. Testing is optional within the tier and is sometimes declined by informed preference.