Title | Ethical Issues in the Treatment of Late-Stage Alzheimer's Disease. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Watt, AD, Jenkins, NL, McColl, G, Collins, S, Desmond, PM |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 68 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 1311-1316 |
Date Published | 2019 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Abstract | There is hope that the continuing efforts of researchers will yield a disease-modifying drug for Alzheimer's disease. Such a drug is likely to be capable of halting, or significantly slowing, the underlying pathological processes driving cognitive decline; however, it is unlikely to be capable of restoring brain function already lost through the pathological process. A therapy capable of halting Alzheimer's disease, while not providing restoration of function, may prompt serious ethical questions. For example, is there a stage in the disease process when it becomes too late for therapeutic intervention to commence? And who bears the responsibility of making such a decision? Conversations regarding the ethics of treating neurodegenerative conditions with non-restorative drugs have been largely absent within both clinical and research communities. Such discussions are urgently required to ensure that patients' rights and well-being are protected when such therapeutic options become available. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-180865 |
Alternate Journal | J. Alzheimers Dis. |
PubMed ID | 30475773 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6484269 |