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Erickson CM, Karlawish J, Grill JD, Harkins K, Landau SM, Rivera-Mindt MG, Okonkwo O, Petersen RC, Aisen PS, Weiner MW, Largent EA. A Pragmatic, Investigator-Driven Process for Disclosure of Amyloid PET Scan Results to ADNI-4 Research Participants. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2024; 11:294-302. [PMID: 38374735 PMCID: PMC10883638 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2024.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prior studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker disclosure have answered important questions about individuals' safety after learning and comprehending their amyloid PET results; however, these studies have typically employed highly structured disclosure protocols and focused on the psychological impact of disclosure (e.g., anxiety, depression, and suicidality) in homogeneous populations. More work is needed to develop flexible disclosure protocols and study outcomes in ethnoculturally representative samples. METHODS The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) is formally incorporating amyloid PET disclosure into the newest protocol (ADNI-4). Participants across the cognitive spectrum who wish to know their amyloid PET results may learn them. The pragmatic disclosure process spans four timepoints: (1) a pre-disclosure visit, (2) the PET scan and its read, (3) a disclosure visit, and (4) a post-disclosure check-in. This process applies to all participants, with slight modifications to account for their cognitive status. In designing this process, special emphasis was placed on utilizing investigator discretion. Participant measures include perceived risk of dementia, purpose in life, and disclosure satisfaction. Investigator assessment of the disclosure visit (e.g., challenges encountered, topics discussed, etc.) is also included. RESULTS Data collection is ongoing. Results will allow for more robust characterization of the impact of learning amyloid PET results on individuals and describe the perspectives of investigators. CONCLUSION The pragmatic design of the disclosure process in ADNI-4 coupled with the novel participant and investigator data will inform future disclosure practices. This is especially important as disclosure of biomarker results expands in research and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- C M Erickson
- Emily Largent JD, PhD, RN, 423 Guardian Drive Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA,
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Rosen AC, Arias JJ, Ashford JW, Blacker D, Chhatwal JP, Chin NA, Clark L, Denny SS, Goldman JS, Gleason CE, Grill JD, Heidebrink JL, Henderson VW, Lavacot JA, Lingler JH, Menon M, Nosheny RL, Oliveira FF, Parker MW, Rahman-Filipiak A, Revoori A, Rumbaugh MC, Sanchez DL, Schindler SE, Schwarz CG, Toy L, Tyrone J, Walter S, Wang LS, Wijsman EM, Zallen DT, Aggarwal NT. The Advisory Group on Risk Evidence Education for Dementia: Multidisciplinary and Open to All. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 90:953-962. [PMID: 35938255 PMCID: PMC9901285 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The brain changes of Alzheimer's disease and other degenerative dementias begin long before cognitive dysfunction develops, and in people with subtle cognitive complaints, clinicians often struggle to predict who will develop dementia. The public increasingly sees benefits to accessing dementia risk evidence (DRE) such as biomarkers, predictive algorithms, and genetic information, particularly as this information moves from research to demonstrated usefulness in guiding diagnosis and clinical management. For example, the knowledge that one has high levels of amyloid in the brain may lead one to seek amyloid reducing medications, plan for disability, or engage in health promoting behaviors to fight cognitive decline. Researchers often hesitate to share DRE data, either because they are insufficiently validated or reliable for use in individuals, or there are concerns about assuring responsible use and ensuring adequate understanding of potential problems when one's biomarker status is known. Concerns include warning people receiving DRE about situations in which they might be compelled to disclose their risk status potentially leading to discrimination or stigma. The Advisory Group on Risk Evidence Education for Dementia (AGREEDementia) welcomes all concerned with how best to share and use DRE. Supporting understanding in clinicians, stakeholders, and people with or at risk for dementia and clearly delineating risks, benefits, and gaps in knowledge is vital. This brief overview describes elements that made this group effective as a model for other health conditions where there is interest in unfettered collaboration to discuss diagnostic uncertainty and the appropriate use and communication of health-related risk information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson C. Rosen
- VA Medical Center-Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA,Correspondence to: Allyson C. Rosen, PhD, ABPP-CN, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Palo Alto VA Medical Center, 3801 Miranda Ave (151Y), Palo Alto, CA 94304-1207, USA. Tel.: +1 650 279 3949;
| | - Jalayne J. Arias
- School of Public Health Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - J. Wesson Ashford
- VA Medical Center-Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Deborah Blacker
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Nathan A. Chin
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Lindsay Clark
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Sharon S. Denny
- The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, King of Prussia, PA, USA
| | - Jill S. Goldman
- Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carey E. Gleason
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Judith L. Heidebrink
- Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Victor W. Henderson
- Departments of Epidemiology & Population Health and of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rachel L. Nosheny
- Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Monica W. Parker
- Emory Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Suzanne E. Schindler
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Leslie Toy
- VA Medical Center-Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jamie Tyrone
- Beating Alzheimer’s by Embracing Science, Ramona, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Walter
- Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute/USC, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Li-san Wang
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Abstract
Advances in biomarkers, genetics, and other data used as dementia risk evidence (DRE) are increasingly informing clinical diagnosis and management. The purpose of this Mini-Forum is to provide a solutions-based discussion of the ethical and legal gaps and practical questions about how to use and communicate these data. Investigators often use DRE in research. When participants ask for their personal results, investigators have concerns. Will data that was intended to study groups be valid for individuals? Will sharing data cause distress? Debates around sharing DRE became heated when blood-based amyloid tests and amyloid reducing drugs appeared poised to enable clinicians easily to identify people with elevated brain amyloid and reduce it with a drug. Such an approach would transform the traditional role of DRE from investigational to foundational; however, then the high costs, uncertain clinical benefits and risks of the therapy led to an urgent need for education to support clinical decision making. Further complicating DRE use are direct to consumer genetic testing and increasingly available biomarker testing. Withholding DRE becomes less feasible and public education around responsible use and understanding become vital. A critical answer to these legal and ethical issues is supporting education that clearly delineates known risks, benefits, and gaps in knowledge, and communication to promote understanding among researchers, clinicians, patients, and all stakeholders. This paper provides an overview and identifies general concepts and resource documents that support more informed discussions for individuals and interdisciplinary groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allyson C. Rosen
- VA Medical Center-Palo Alto, Palo Alto, CA, USA,Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA USA,Correspondence to: Allyson Rosen, PhD, ABPP-CN, Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Palo Alto VA Medical Center, 3801 Miranda Ave (151Y), Palo Alto, CA 94304-1207, USA.
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