Conducting research related to treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Ethical issues

Researchers are obligated to protect the rights of study participants. Protecting the rights of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is particularly complicated because of the special needs of this patient population, and the characteristics of developing treatments and technologies. Respecting autonomy and the right to self-determination are complicated by difficulties associated with assuring competence, understanding, and voluntariness in the informed consent process. Protecting patients with AD from harm may be complicated because new treatments have subtle side effects that may be difficult to detect in patients experiencing communication difficulties. Harm to patients with AD also may occur from withholding proven treatments in placebo-controlled trials, and in the use of genetic testing. Issues of justice in the allocation of research dollars and the ability of patients with AD to participate in research are also discussed. By recognizing potential pitfalls, researchers involved in testing new treatments for patients with AD can take proper steps to assure ethical treatment of study participants.