Lewy Body Dementia Genetic Risk — sharing genetic architecture with both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, Lewy body dementia is influenced by GBA, APOE, and SNCA variants that inform diagnosis, prognosis, and emerging therapeutic approaches.
Whole genome sequencing evaluates all Lewy body dementia genes — GBA (the strongest risk factor), APOE ε4, SNCA, LRRK2, BIN1, TMEM175 — clarifying the genetic underpinnings of this frequently misdiagnosed condition.
Lewy Body Dementia — Genetic Risk
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease, affecting approximately 1.4 million Americans. DLB is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, visual hallucinations, fluctuating cognition, REM sleep behavior disorder, and parkinsonism. DLB is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's — critically important because DLB patients are exquisitely sensitive to antipsychotic medications (which are commonly prescribed for behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's), with neuroleptic sensitivity causing severe parkinsonism, sedation, and potentially fatal neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
GBA (glucocerebrosidase, chromosome 1q22) variants are the strongest known genetic risk factor for DLB — conferring approximately 8x increased risk. The same GBA variants that increase Parkinson's disease risk (N370S, L444P, E326K) also increase DLB risk. APOE ε4, the strongest Alzheimer's risk factor, also substantially increases DLB risk (~2-3x per allele). SNCA (α-synuclein) variants and multiplications cause rare familial forms of DLB/Parkinson's. This genetic overlap between Alzheimer's (APOE), Parkinson's (GBA, SNCA, LRRK2), and DLB reflects the clinical overlap of these synucleinopathy-tauopathy spectrum disorders.
Genetic diagnosis in DLB has important therapeutic implications. GBA-targeted therapies (venglustat, ambroxol — GCase activators/chaperones) are in clinical trials for both Parkinson's and DLB — molecular GBA confirmation determines trial eligibility. APOE genotype influences the anti-amyloid therapy discussion (lecanemab for co-existing Alzheimer's pathology). Most critically, accurate DLB diagnosis PREVENTS harmful antipsychotic exposure — and genetic risk profiling supports the DLB diagnosis when clinical features are ambiguous.
DLB patients can have FATAL reactions to antipsychotic medications — drugs routinely given for 'agitation in dementia.' Accurate DLB diagnosis prevents this iatrogenic harm. Genetic risk profiling supports the diagnostic distinction from Alzheimer's.
DLB is fatally misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's — leading to antipsychotic prescriptions that can kill. Genetic risk profiling helps distinguish DLB from Alzheimer's and identifies candidates for GBA-targeted clinical trials.
GBA-targeted therapies in trials for DLB — molecular confirmation required, same pathway as Gaucher disease treatments
Venglustat (GCase substrate reduction) and ambroxol (GCase chaperone/activator) are in clinical trials for GBA-associated Parkinson's and DLB. These therapies specifically target the impaired lysosomal function caused by GBA variants. Trial enrollment requires confirmed GBA molecular diagnosis. WGS identifies all GBA pathogenic variants, enabling clinical trial access for this emerging precision neurology approach.
APOE and GBA together provide the most informative genetic DLB risk profile — distinguishing Lewy body from Alzheimer's pathology
A patient with cognitive decline who carries GBA risk variants is more likely to have DLB/Parkinson's dementia than Alzheimer's. A patient who carries APOE ε4 but no GBA variants is more likely to have Alzheimer's. Patients who carry both are at risk for mixed DLB-Alzheimer's pathology. This genetic profile helps guide the diagnostic workup (DaT scan for DLB vs. amyloid PET for Alzheimer's), treatment selection, and critically — medication safety (avoiding antipsychotics in likely DLB).
Your full DNA (not just a part of it)
Traditional genetic testing looks at narrow sets of genes, missing most parts of your genome. We sequence your full genome — every gene and every region between genes.
Comprehensive insights and specialized reports
Easy to read and with answers you and your doctor can act on. Not a file to interpret — 200+ clinical reports, organized by category.
Your test becomes more valuable every year
Your DNA does not change, but genome science is accelerating. Every month, new variant-disease associations are discovered. We validate these findings and update your reports automatically. Your test becomes more valuable every year.
The results doctors bring to their hardest cases.
Forty years of uncertainty. One test.
A patient had spent decades in the UK healthcare system without a diagnosis. Dante data, accepted by NHS clinical teams at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital Glasgow, identified Noonan Syndrome and a RUNX1 leukemia-associated variant that had gone undetected. After 40 years, they finally had an answer.
A complete read delivers a complete picture.
A patient came to Dante to investigate periodic paralysis. Reading the complete genome identified a concurrent hereditary cardiac finding — Brugada syndrome — that their doctor confirmed with an ECG. The result also explained a family member's unresolved cardiac history. One test. Every answer in it.
Sequenced in 2019. The data worked in 2021.
Jennifer sequenced her genome with Dante two years before her breast cancer diagnosis. When treatment began, Dante's pharmacogenomics data showed her prescribed chemotherapy would cause serious adverse effects. Her doctor selected an alternative — and she started effective treatment from day one.
Every genetic question deserves a complete answer.
Whether you are searching for answers today or protecting your health for tomorrow, a complete read of your entire genome is the only place to start.
It runs in your family. Now you can know if it runs in your genes.
Your genome contains inherited variants associated with medical conditions like cardiac, cancer, and neurological. We read all of them — with the clinical depth to give the result meaning.
Learn more →When traditional lab tests say you're fine. And you know you're not.
Standard diagnostic tests check for a pre-selected set of answers. We sequence your full DNA — including parts that no test was designed to check. If the answer is in your genome, we will help you find it.
Learn more →Your diagnosis may be right. Your treatment plan may be incomplete.
Your genes determine which treatments are most likely to work — and which are not. We give your doctor the tools and insights to inform your treatment plan.
Learn more →You want to know before something forces the question.
Some people don't wait for a diagnosis or a family history to act. Whole genome sequencing gives you the complete genetic picture now — so you and your doctor can make informed decisions before anything becomes urgent.
Learn more →You already took a DNA test. Here's what it couldn't tell you.
Most consumer DNA tests read less than 0.1% of your genome. We read all of it.
Learn more →Clinical-grade results. Chosen by individuals, trusted by doctors for their most complex cases.
Dante Genome Test helped specialists at a UK national acute hospital in the identification of Noonan Syndrome and a rare leukemia-associated genetic variant that had gone undetected. That result changed the medical care of the patient.
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Common questions about whole genome sequencing.
What is the difference between whole genome sequencing and a targeted genetic test?
Targeted genetic tests — including standard hereditary cancer panels — read a pre-defined list of known variants in a specific set of genes. They are designed to find what they already know to look for. Whole genome sequencing reads your entire genome: all 6 billion base pairs, every gene, every region between genes. A Mayo Clinic study published in JAMA Oncology found that standard testing guidelines missed more than half of patients with inherited cancer mutations. Genome Test does not have a fixed list.
What will I receive when my results are ready?
Your Dante Genome delivers 200+ physician-ready reports organized by clinical category — hereditary cancer, cardiac conditions, rare diseases, pharmacogenomics, carrier status, and more. Reports are delivered to your secure Genome Manager and are formatted for direct clinical use. Your genome data is permanently retained and re-analyzed automatically as science advances.
What happens if a clinically significant variant is found?
If a pathogenic or likely-pathogenic variant is identified, it will be clearly flagged in your physician-ready report with clinical context, published evidence, and recommended next steps. We recommend sharing any clinically significant finding with your physician or a genetic counselor, who can guide decisions about surveillance, risk reduction, or cascade testing for family members.
How is this different from a consumer DNA test like 23andMe or AncestryDNA?
Consumer DNA tests use genotyping chips that read less than 0.1% of your genome — a tiny pre-selected set of common variants. They are optimized for ancestry and population-level traits, not clinical genetic findings. The Dante Genome Test sequences 100% of your genome at 30X coverage, the same standard used in clinical diagnostic settings. The two tests are not comparable in scope, methodology, or clinical utility.
How long does it take to get results, and how are they delivered?
Your collection kit ships within 48 hours of ordering. Once your sample arrives at our CLIA-certified laboratory, sequencing and analysis takes 6–8 weeks. Results are delivered securely to your Genome Manager, where you can access your reports, share them with your physician, and receive automatic updates as new findings are validated against your genome.
We work with patient advocacy groups worldwide.
Dante Labs works with patient advocacy groups of any size — for Lewy Body Dementia — Genetic Risk and other conditions, rare and common. We support groups in any country, including virtual patient advocacy groups.
We can provide customized reports, group discounts, and packages tailored for your members. Please reach out using the form and we'll be in touch within two business days.
- Custom genomic reports for your members
- Group discounts and tailored packages
- Any country — including virtual groups
- Rare and common conditions covered
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One test.
A lifetime of answers.
One kit, sent to your home. Your entire genome sequenced at the clinical standard used for diagnostic decisions. 200+ physician-ready reports delivered to your Genome Manager in 6–8 weeks — permanent and updated as science advances.
Ships within 48 hours · Results in 6–8 weeks
