Donald Trump's father Fred had Alzheimer's — is the disease hereditary?

Fred Trump died at age 83 with Alzheimer's, and the Alzheimer's Association says having a parent with the disease can raise a person's risk.

Speculation about President Donald Trump's cognitive health has drawn attention to his family medical history. His father, Fred Trump, died at 83 with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, which has prompted questions about heredity. Medical organizations note that genetics can influence risk, but they are only part of a broader picture that includes health and lifestyle factors. Key facts: - Fred Trump died at age 83 and was reported to have had Alzheimer's disease. - The Alzheimer's Association reports that having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer's can increase an individual's risk, but it is not a certainty. - Researchers distinguish between common "risk" genes (for example, APOE e4) that raise the chance of late-onset Alzheimer's and rare "deterministic" genes that nearly always cause early-onset Alzheimer's. - Genetic testing for Alzheimer's-related genes exists, but most clinicians do not recommend routine testing for late-onset gene variants because they are not fully predictive. Summary: A family history of Alzheimer's can influence an individual's likelihood of developing the disease, yet genetics do not determine outcomes on their own and other health and lifestyle factors also matter. Undetermined at this time.