latimesblogs.latimes.com | Submitted by ionavideo, 02.02.10
NYU researchers question the conclusions of a 2009 study about whether children of Alzheimer's patients should undergo testing for the e4 variant of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE-e4), which suggests increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Members of both groups (those who were genetically tested and received results and the control who did not receive results) were equally likely to be depressed and anxious. The study concluded that genetic testing was a positive thing, as long as it was accompanied with appropriate genetic counseling.
However, the NYU researchers claim the analysis was flawed because it did not consider the mental health scores of an additional control group that was not tested at all. "In this [NYU-suggested] analysis, there were 'significant increases in depression' among those who were tested and got their results."