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Effectiveness of a condensed protocol for disclosing APOE genotype and providing risk education for Alzheimer disease
Roberts JS, Chen CA, Uhlmann WR, Green RC.. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics, 2012-04-12
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
Purpose Brief, effective models of patient genetic education are needed for common, complex diseases. Using Alzheimer disease as a model, we compared participants' risk knowledge and recall in extended versus condensed education protocols. Methods A four-site randomized clinical trial enrolled 280 first-degree relatives of individuals with Alzheimer disease (mean age = 58 years, 71% female); each received lifetime Alzheimer disease risk information (range: 13-74%) that incorporated apolipoprotein E genotype. In the condensed protocol, participants received an educational brochure in place of an in-person education session. Outcomes were assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months following risk disclosure. Results The condensed protocol required less clinician time than the extended protocol (mean = 34 min vs. 77 min). The groups did not differ on recall of apolipoprotein E genotype or lifetime risk, and most participants in both groups recalled and retained this information over time. Both groups showed improvement from baseline in Alzheimer disease risk knowledge (e.g., understanding the magnitude of apolipoprotein E genotype effect on risk). Conclusion A condensed protocol for communicating genetic risk for Alzheimer disease achieved similar educational results as an extended protocol in this study. Further research should explore the efficacy of brief genetic education protocols for complex diseases in diverse populations.
Key findings
- Using Alzheimer disease as a model, we compared participants' risk knowledge and recall in extended versus condensed education protocols.
- Results The condensed protocol required less clinician time than the extended protocol (mean = 34 min vs. 77 min).
- Conclusion A condensed protocol for communicating genetic risk for Alzheimer disease achieved similar educational results as an extended protocol in this study.
Why it matters
A condensed protocol using a brochure instead of an in-person session gave similar results to the longer protocol for communicating genetic risk of Alzheimer disease, and it required less clinician time. This is about how risk information is shared with people, not about treating, curing or preventing the disease itself.
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Study details
- Participants280
- Evidence strengthHigh
How this study scored 62/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a randomised controlled trial. Scored zero for effect reported because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Genetics in Medicine: journal h-index 204 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 11 / 12 | A randomised controlled trial (from PubMed type “Randomized Controlled Trial”) |
| Strength of evidence | 5 / 5 | Rated “high” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 2012 — within 20 year(s) of the newest study here |
| Sample size | 2 / 4 | 280 participants |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 3 / 3 | Studied in people (participant count stated) |
| Randomised / blinded | 1 / 2 | Randomised (as stated in the record) |
| Times cited | 3 / 7 | Cited 33 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 1 / 5 | 2.1 citations a year over 16 year(s) since 2012 |
| Impact for its field and year | 2 / 6 | Cited 1.0× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 2 / 6 | Cited by 4 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 1 / 4 | Cited 10 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Robert C. Green: h-index 117 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 2 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 5 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 22498844) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 62 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
Full text: free to read — PubMed Central lists this copy as free to read: the link above (checked 10 Oct 2026).
Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Roberts, J. S., Chen, C. A., Uhlmann, W. R., & Green, R. C. (2012). Effectiveness of a condensed protocol for disclosing APOE genotype and providing risk education for Alzheimer disease. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/gim.2012.37
Vancouver
Roberts JS, Chen CA, Uhlmann WR, Green RC. Effectiveness of a condensed protocol for disclosing APOE genotype and providing risk education for Alzheimer disease. Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics. 2012. doi:10.1038/gim.2012.37. PMID: 22498844.
BibTeX
@article{roberts2012-22498844,
author = {Roberts, J. S. and Chen, C. A. and Uhlmann, W. R. and Green, R. C.},
title = {{Effectiveness of a condensed protocol for disclosing APOE genotype and providing risk education for Alzheimer disease}},
journal = {Genetics in medicine : official journal of the American College of Medical Genetics},
year = {2012},
doi = {10.1038/gim.2012.37},
pmid = {22498844},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1038/gim.2012.37}
}
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