I posted this information in another thread but am reposting it here at the request of MrsD.

Anyone with idiopathic PN who has not had an Athena test in a few years should consider a retest today (especially if your insurance will pay for it). I had the Athena test three times before a genetic defect was discovered. Athena is constantly improving the test to test for additional genes that are associated with PN. Further, I understand from my discussions with the lab director at Athena that they have just completed a study to classify genetic polymorphisms of unknown significance in CMT-associated genes as either disease causing or begnine. As a result, there is a much greater probability today that the test will reveal genetic disorders than they did in the past and a much greater probability that Athena will be able to classify a genetic polymorphism as disease causing or begnine.