Dementia is a broad term encompassing many diseases each having different causes. Although most dementia is sporadic, some diseases can be hereditary. When dementia runs in the family, patients and their relatives may choose to determine the disease gene so that they and their doctors have a better understanding of the nature of their disease as well as a way of predicting who else may be at risk.

Columbia University Memory Center's Genetic Counseling and Testing Program for Familial Dementia is committed to providing the education, counseling, and support so that individuals with a family history of dementia may learn about their risk and make an informed decision about whether or not to have genetic testing. The decision to have genetic testing should not be made lightly because the result can affect one's life significantly. Accordingly, the Memory Center has established a genetic testing protocol requires several genetic counseling sessions and a baseline neurological and neuropsychological evaluation prior to genetic testing. The genetic counselor will take a detailed family medical history, describe the genetics of the disease and options for genetic testing and genetic research, discuss the benefits and limitations of genetic testing, and the possible effects of testing for the patient and the family. The patient has the full support of our team of doctors and counselors when making their decision.

For more information on Columbia University Memory Center's Genetic Counseling and Testing Program for Familial Dementia, please call one of our genetic counselors:

• Jill Goldman, MS, MPhil, CGC: 212-305-7382
• Jennifer Williamson, MS, CGC: 212-305-4655

To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, please call: 212-305-6939