Introduction
The goal of this study was to pilot a referral‐based cognitive screening and genetic testing program for Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk assessment in a primary care setting.
Methods
Primary care providers (PCPs;
N
= 6) referred patients (
N
= 94;
M
= 63 years) to the Rhode Island Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Registry for apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping and cognitive screening. PCPs disclosed test results to patients and counseled them about risk factor modification.
Results
Compared to the Registry as a whole, participants were younger, more likely to be non‐White, and had lower cognitive screening scores. Mild cognitive impairment participants correctly reported a higher perceived risk of developing AD. Patients who recalled being counseled about modifiable risk factors were more likely to report positive health behavior changes.
Discussion
A referral‐based program for cognitive and genetic AD risk assessment in a primary care setting is feasible, acceptable to patients, and yielded a more demographically diverse sample than an AD prevention registry.
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