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Free Brain Health
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Impact
Managing cardiovascular and lifestyle factors is particularly important for people who carry the ε4 variant.
APOE ε4 carriers are more sensitive to vascular damage, inflammation, and metabolic problems (like hypertension or obesity).
APOE ε4 is the strongest known genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s, it influences how the brain handles cholesterol and clears amyloid proteins.
This is an amplifier of risk, not a guarantee - many people with APOE ε4 never develop dementia, and many without it do.
Genotype | Estimated risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|
ε2/ε2 or ε2/ε3 | Lower risk – roughly 40% below average | The ε2 allele appears protective and may slow amyloid build-up. |
ε3/ε3 | Baseline risk | The most common combination; used as the reference point in studies. |
ε2/ε4 | Slightly higher than average | The protective ε2 and the risk-raising ε4 partially offset each other. |
ε3/ε4 | ~3-fold higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease | The most common high-risk pattern in the general population. |
ε4/ε4 | ~10- to 15-fold higher risk | Strongest genetic effect; symptoms often appear earlier (late-50s to 60s). |
How it works
Order your DNA test to your home using our partner
Use the mouth swab to collect a sample and send off.
Secure & Confidential Online Results - log into the Genetrack to monitor progress and see your results
