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A lot of research is pointing towards a genetic link, however, your own lifestyle is also predictive. It doesn't really matter what type of dementia one gets, it is always fatal at this point in time, and wondering what you can do to change your DNA is pointless (unless you are invitro).
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Lifestyles are inherited. We have a lot more control over our genetic expression than most of us realize. For example, we all have cancer cells. But our lifestyle affects our genetic expression, which in turn affects the likelihood of our getting chronic diseases.
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Depends. My mom was having mini strokes that just kept shutting pieces of her brain down, which resulted in dementia. The issue is genetic. My ex-mil is diagnosed w long term memory loss, and her mom had hardening of arteries and dementia. Tendency is genetic but lifestyle is also determinant factor. I can see definite difference in me and my sibs, and in my ex (we are now close friends) and his sibs. I have tried to stay healthy all my adult life and so has ex. Sibs smoked, drank hard liquor, and did not eat healthy. We have very different qual of life.
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My husband played football from about 3rd grade, through grade school, highschool and college. Also for 2 years as a semi-pro. He was also a heavy drinker all his life. Now suffers from heavy-duty alz/dementia. One of my sons was in a horrific accident about 30 years ago, suffered severe head injury and has suffered from short-term memory loss ever since. Doctors say in both cases it's a result of head trauma, not heredity. But my other 5 kids (all over 50) are very cognizant of it and staying aware, just in case.
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Yes. My disease CADASIL is "genetic dominant", so everybody has a 50-50 chance although we appear to have a high penetrance variation. Contact a genetic counselor for good info.
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I've always assumed the tendency toward having Alzheimer's is inherited. This has been born out by the fact that my husband's father had Alzheimer's. Now, my husband and one of his other two brothers has it.
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The youngest case of CADASIL (my disease) was a 6 year old boy who stroked. My husband had an uncle with Alzheimer's who smoked and spent the last ten years in a VA nursing home, My husband is 66 and showing bad signs. His MRI showed a lesion in his brain stem in the Pontine Segment after 50 years of life. For those of you who watched the movie, "Lorenzo's Oil", you would have to agree. There is nature and there is nurture and there is injury (head injuries bring on dementia). It is always wise to know that there are many factors including abuse and will to live, diet, weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, socialization, spiritual belief and family support... which affect the strength of our telomeres. There are NO absolutes at this point. I have early VaD. Medicine, doctors and institutions scare me, not death. So I chose to live in Panama.
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I read "still Alice" as I've seen my mom losing her ability to be independent and in AL. I cried one day and laughed another, but even tho the book was based on several subjects, it could all be true for some. ( in one way or another)
I do believe it's hereditary since my gram had it, now my mom. Had two aunts who died in a car crash in their 50's, so don't know if they were candidates.
Had 5 uncles of whom one had brain damage and dementia. (he was attacked when driving a cab.). They try so hard to be "normal" and to not accept that they need our help. Mom is 18 1/2 years older than me, I pray I can take care of her needs before I MIGHT need help myself. Hugs to all. I appreciate this sight so much!!
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I am no expert on this, however I recently saw the movie 'Still Alice' and found it very informative. Again, I don't know how much of the movie was factual, but you can read about it online. It was very interesting to see how that particular hereditary type of early onset Alzheimer's appears, how it can be tested for and the data regarding how it is passed on to the next generation. I hope this is helpful to you.
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Kudos Why Not Give a Hug! Having been a paid companion/friend to two ladies in asst living that have dementia at two different levels, and listening to the tortures of my mil and fil from cancer, etc., I have decided as you have. Don't think it will be Panama, because we still have a horse, donkey, dog, and 4 indoor cats, but SOMEWHERE that everyone I know isn't dealing with doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, etc....
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