Genetic counseling issues in predictive genetic testing for familial adult-onset neurologic diseases.
Genetic counseling is important in any genetic testing situation in order to address the various issues related to obtaining a genetic diagnosis. Presymptomatic testing for adult-onset neurodegenerative disease, in particular, presents a complex counseling scenario. It is imperative to discuss the potential impact of test results on patients' family dynamics, insurability and employability, family planning, and future health in addition to ascertaining a complete understanding of recurrence, inheritance, and testing parameters. The Huntington disease presymptomatic testing protocol is well-defined and has been used for more than 10 years. These guidelines, which protect both patient and provider, can now be applied to other diseases as further presymptomatic testing capabilities are realized.
Burson
C M
CM
Hattie B. Munroe Center for Human Genetics, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-5440, USA.
Markey
K R
KR
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D018907:Privacy; D012307:Risk Factors