#236 Assessing for Alzheimer’s Disease with Quest Diagnostics
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Alzheimer’s is the most feared health condition of later life among retirees, ranking higher than COVID-19, cancer, heart attack and stroke (Reference)). Answers from risk assessments and diagnostic testing can help clinicians and those dealing with cognitive decline in themselves or loved ones choose a path forward. As the Alzheimer’s and dementia fields evolve and as new therapies come out, new diagnostic tools are also being developed with the goal of providing answers that are accessible.

With all of these new diagnostic advancements, it can be challenging for clinicians to determine what to order and when. Susan Hahn, a genetic counselor and expert in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, is joining us from Quest Diagnostics to speak on the newest risk assessment advances including some recently launched tests from Quest and what patient types they make the most sense for.

Providing the patient perspective, we have Rebecca Chopp joining us from the University of Chicago. Rebecca was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s about three years ago, and currently serves on the board of Voices of Alzheimer’s as an advocate. She’ll be joining us to speak on her experience receiving a diagnosis and how she has since learned to “live with joy”.

Rebecca Chopp, Ph.D., is a widely published author, editor, and academic in the fields of education, philosophy, religion, and feminism. She served as the 18th, and first female, Chancellor of the University of Denver. She was additionally President of Swarthmore College and Colgate University, and she served as Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Emory University and as a Dean at Yale University. Chopp has served on the Governing Board of the Association of American Colleges and Universities, Olin University, The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and American Council on Education.  Currently, Rebecca is an Alzheimer's Advocate who serves on the Board of the Colorado Alzheimer's Association), paints classical portraits and hikes, bikes and walks Buhdy, her dog.  An ordained minister, she is currently working on a book entitled Art, Spirit, Body: Ways to Live While Dying from Alzheimer's. 

Susan Hahn), MS, CGC is a highly accomplished, strategic, and charismatic genetics professional who spent the past two decades initiating and leading research, outreach, education, and policy activities to facilitate and expand the responsible translation of genomic medicine in the clinical setting. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles, encyclopedia entries and chapters. As a result of her long-standing interest in professional, public, and childhood education, she has development and administered numerous undergraduate and graduate courses, public outreach events, web resources, conferences, and print materials. As an active leader, Susan has Chaired or Co-chaired numerous committees and task forces for ABGC and NSGC. In 2014, she was President of the American Board of Genetic Counseling. Susan currently works for Quest Diagnostics as Director of Health Economics and Outcomes Research. 

On This Episode We Discuss:

An overview of Alzheimer's disease, how it affects the brain and cognition, and some of the early signs and symptoms

Genes implicated in Alzheimer’s disease and how they are inherited 

The relationship of the APOE gene to Alzheimer’s disease and the three alleles (e2, e3, e4) and how they correlate to risk for developing the condition

Chris Hemsworth and the APOE e4 allele)

Recommendations for pursuing genetic testing and the limitations of these tests

Quest’s diagnostic blood test and future applications

Recommendations to mitigate risk in individuals that have 1 to 2 copies of the e4 version of the *APOE *gene 

Options for people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 

Rebecca’s diagnostic odyssey, how she has coped with her diagnosis, and how art and spirituality have aided in her positive mindset 

You can connect with our guest, Susan Hahn, on Twitter) and LinkedIn). If you’re interested in learning more about Quest Diagnostics and their Alzheimer’s blood test, you can visit their website), or follow them on Twitter), Facebook), LinkedIn), and Instagram). 

If you’re interested in learning more about the patient experience with Alzheimer’s disease, you can check out this Washington Post article) featuring Rebecca Chopp that we mentioned in this episode and features Rebecca Chopp, the movie Still Alice), Alzheimer's Association), and Voices of Alzheimer’s).

Stay tuned for the next new episode of DNA Today on May 19th, 2023, where we’ll be exploring the utilization of digital tools to reach patients who can benefit from cancer genetic counseling. Our guest is Australian genetic counselor, Michelle Bowman.

Episodes are released every Friday. In the meantime, you can binge over 235 other episodes on Apple Podcasts), Spotify), streaming on the website), or any other podcast player by searching, “DNA Today”. Episodes since 2021 are also recorded with video which you can watch on our YouTube channel). 

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*Want to become a genetic counselor? Looking for ways to engage with the field and boost your resume for grad school applications? Then you should check out Sarah Lawrence’s “Why Genetic Counseling Wednesday Summer Series”! Every Wednesday this June (plus the last Wednesday in May) Sarah Lawrence is hosting a series where you can interact through Zoom with genetic counselors from different specialties. It kicks off on May 31st! You can sign up at *SLC.edu/DNAtoday)*. Again visit SLC.edu/DNAtoday) to register to level up your resume for applications in the fall. (Sponsored) *

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