Ethical disclosure of biomarkers for Alzheimer risk in Latin American participants
Diana C Oviedo1,2,3, Rasheda Haughbrook4,5, Carli Culjat4
1Center for Neuroscience, Instituto de Investigaciones Científicas y Servicios de Alta Tecnología (INDICASAT-AIP), Panama City, Panama.
Introduction:
In recent years, the disclosure of Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers has become increasingly common, offering critical insights into disease risk and progression. However, in low-resource settings, where healthcare access, provider training, and patient support are often limited, disclosing AD biomarkers presents unique ethical, logistical, and psychological challenges.
Objective:
This perspective explores the implications of AD biomarker disclosure in these settings, highlighting the potential risks of patient distress, misinformation, and inadequate follow-up care. For this purpose, we conducted a review of available literature, peer-reviewed studies, regional reports, and policy documents addressing AD in Latin America. Our literature search prioritized diagnostic advances, biomarker disclosure, treatment access, and health system challenges, providing a focused evidence base to frame the discussion of regional gaps and opportunities.
Discussion:
We discuss strategies to support responsible disclosure practices, including culturally sensitive participant education, enhanced provider training, and policy adaptations to improve accessibility and support systems. Ultimately, we advocate for a careful, context-specific approach to AD biomarker disclosure that prioritizes patient well-being and equity in low-resource environments.
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