There is no doubt that the genes you inherit can increase your
risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Several different genes
have been linked with a person’s risk for the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease that begins at a young age can affect many
family members. If your mother and her mother both developed
Alzheimer’s disease when they were around your age (57), I would
be more concerned that your symptoms might reflect early signs
of the disease. Having said this, most people who develop
Alzheimer’s disease are older than you. And they don’t have a
family history of the disease. Based on the information you’ve
given, I can’t know for sure if your symptoms are early signs of
Alzheimer’s disease. But since your mother and her mother had
the disease, you should talk with your doctor. He or she will
want more details on what you are experiencing. It’s often
difficult to describe a foggy and disoriented feeling. Give your
doctor some specific examples. If your doctor thinks your
symptoms are worrisome, he or she might