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In the extended Reiswig family, Alzheimer’s disease is not just a random occurrence. It results from a mutated gene that is passed down from parent to child. If you inherit the mutated gene, Alzheimer’s will emerge at around age 50 — with absolute certainty. Your child has a 50-50 chance of suffering the same fate. The revelation came as a shock. And so did the next one: [Brothers, Marty and Matt Reiswig,] learned that there is a blood test that can reveal whether one carries the mutated gene. They could decide to know if they had it. Or not. (Kolata, 3/7)

Glenda Mernaugh gives her 87-year-old mother homework. Some mornings it's writing her birth date 10 times. Sometimes it's writing her name. But despite medication and memory exercises, Billy Jean Judd still forgets. (Todd, 3/6)