Chronic Dementing Conditions, Genomics, and New Opportunities for Nursing Interventions

doi:10.1111/j.1547-5069.2006.00123.x

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Systems Maintenance, Monday, 15th February 2010

Wiley InterScience

Journal of Nursing Scholarship

Volume 38 Issue 4, Pages 328 - 334

Published Online: 17 Nov 2006

Published with Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing

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Genomics to Health

Chronic Dementing Conditions, Genomics, and New Opportunities for Nursing Interventions

Debra L. Schutte ¹ , Ezra C. Holston ¹

¹ Debra L. Schutte, RN, PhD, Gamma, Assistant Professor, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City, IA; Ezra C. Holston, RN, PhD, Upsilon, Assistant Professor, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Nursing, Los Angeles, CA. During the preparation of this manuscript, Dr. Schutte was supported by a John A. Hartford Foundation Building Academic Capacity Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr. Holston was supported by the Clinical Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and was an Iowa Scholar in the Clinical Investigation Program at The University of Iowa College of Medicine. Correspondence to Dr. Schutte, The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Room 484NB, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: debra-schutte@uiowa.edu

KEYWORDS

dementia • Alzheimer disease • Parkinson disease • genetics • gerontology

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To (a) provide an overview of chronic dementing conditions; (b) discuss the etiologic and clinical characteristics of Alzheimer disease (AD) and Parkinson disease (PD) within the framework of the family systems genetic illness model; and (c) to explore opportunities to enhance outcomes through the integration of genomics information and technologies into nursing practice.

Design: An integrated review of the literature, including the organizing construct of the family systems genetic illness model.

Findings: AD and PD are both influenced by genetic and environmental factors; in a small percentage of families, gene mutations are the primary etiologic factor. Genetic testing is an option for some families experiencing early-onset, familial disease. Presymptomatic and diagnostic genetic testing have limited clinical utility for the more common late-onset AD and PD.

Conclusions: The current abilities of healthcare professionals to effectively intervene in people with AD and PD are limited by an incomplete understanding of the biologic basis of these diseases. Advances in genomics research and technology are providing the information and tools necessary to understand the molecular basis of these devastating disorders toward the goal of more specific and effective interventions.

Accepted for publication July 11, 2006.

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1547-5069.2006.00123.x About DOI