Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41697408›Full record

ArticleHuman genetics2026

Reasons for and against presymptomatic genetic testing in frontotemporal dementia: a qualitative study.

Charlotte H Graafland, Harro Seelaar, Jessica L Panman, John C van Swieten, Eline M Bunnik, Laura Donker Kaat

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Human genetics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Charlotte H GraaflandDepartment of Public Health, Program Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. c.graafland@erasmusmc.nl.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0000-2178-0032
Harro SeelaarDepartment of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1989-7527
Jessica L PanmanDepartment of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1126-6555
John C van SwietenDepartment of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6278-6844
Eline M BunnikDepartment of Public Health, Program Medical Ethics, Philosophy and History of Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1481-6222
Laura Donker KaatDepartment of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-2436-0931

Funding

Alzheimer Nederland WE.09-2022-05Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration 2024-005ZonMw 07330462210007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The majority of individuals at 50% risk of carrying a pathogenic variant causing frontotemporal dementia (FTD) chooses not to undergo presymptomatic genetic testing. To explore reasons of individuals at risk of genetic FTD for and against genetic testing, we conducted a secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews with 28 Dutch individuals at risk of genetic FTD: 11 carriers, three non-carriers and 14 individuals at 50% risk. We analyzed the data using inductive thematic analysis. Reasons in favor of presymptomatic genetic testing included wanting to know and relieving uncertainty, hoping to test negative, relevance for life planning, reproductive decision-making, explaining future symptoms, and contributing to the common good. Reasons against presymptomatic genetic testing were fearing psychological impact, fearing effects on employment, insurability or mortgage, maintaining hope, and no immediate relevance for life planning, partly due to uncertainty surrounding age of onset. Reasons were similar in all groups, but were weighed differently. Decision-making processes were influenced by (expectations of) psychological burden before and after testing, personal experiences with FTD in the family, and whether genetic status was perceived as actionable. Perceived relevance was partly influenced by age (in relation to age of onset), life circumstances and research participation. When supporting individuals at risk of FTD in decision-making regarding genetic testing, genetic counselors should be aware of and tailor counseling to the individual’s age and lived experience with being at risk, experiences with FTD and related disorders in the family, and factors influencing the perceived relevance of genetic status for reproductive or life decision-making.

Indexed as

Frontotemporal DementiaGenetic TestingAdultAgedDecision MakingFemaleGenetic Predisposition to DiseaseHumansMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsQualitative Research

Identifiers

PMID41697408
PMCPMC12909385

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.