Look into my eyes . . . or not?

I heard on the radio today that scientists are hopeful they will be able to develop a simple test for Alzheimer's Disease within the next five years. According to the BBC, high street opticians would be able to do the test as part of a routine check up. The radio article stated that the test could predict Alzheimer's upto twenty years before symptoms become apparent.

Opticians are a really important part of the healthcare team, they already refer patients with early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure and probably lots of other things that I don't know about. But the difference is that with hypertension and diabetes you have a fighting chance of receiving effective treatment that will prolong life and maintain, or in some cases enhance, the quality of life.

Of course the more we know about the disease the more likely we are to come up with an effective treatment, but knowing 20 years in advance that you're going to get Alzheimer's? Hmm not sure about that one. Would it spur you on to enjoy the time you have? Depress the heck out of you? Or make you worry about every little slip, every forgotten word or deed?