Deciding whether to seek genetic testing

A Youngtimers Guide ・ Last Reviewed July 2, 2025

This guide is intended for people who are considering genetic testing to find out whether they carry a mutation that causes familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD).

It will help you answer the following questions:

• How do I know if I’m at risk of familial Alzheimer’s disease?

• Am I eligible for genetic testing?

• What are the benefits of genetic testing for FAD mutations?

• What are the risks of genetic testing for FAD mutations?

• How do people handle learning their genetic testing results?

• What if I’m undecided about genetic testing?

Youngtimers offers other guides on genetic testing. One guide, What to expect with genetic testing, covers things to do in preparation for genetic testing, as well as specific steps of the genetic testing process.