By Fatma Younis
Laura Sides faced a life-altering choice when offered a genetic test for the rare early-onset Alzheimer's that killed her father in his 40s. The test would reveal with near certainty whether she carried the "London variant" gene.
A Family History
Her father, a GP, was diagnosed in his 40s. Laura cared for him until his death in 2009, a year after her mother died. At a hospital appointment, a doctor told her she had a 50% chance of inheriting the condition.
Years of Uncertainty
After moving to Melbourne, Australia, she consulted a specialist in 2013 who said a test could determine her status with 99.999% accuracy, predicting symptom onset between ages 46 and 48. She postponed testing for years, undergoing six months of genetic counseling before deciding to proceed in her 30s.
Receiving the Result
The result confirmed she had inherited the gene. She described a sense of numbness followed by anger and confusion about how to live with the knowledge. Now 43, she is three years shy of the predicted onset window.
Adapting to a New Reality
Sides has participated in medical trials worldwide and co-owns a cafe restaurant. She speaks of the difficulty in forming new relationships and the decision not to have children, but emphasizes gratitude for her current life and a focus on simple pleasures like swimming, nature, and time with loved ones.
