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Dratch L, Owczarzak J, Mu W, Cousins KAQ, Massimo L, Grossman M, Erby L. The lived experience of reconstructing identity in response to genetic risk of frontotemporal degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Genet Couns 2024; 33:515-527. [PMID: 37424394 PMCID: PMC10776796 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
With the increasing availability of predictive genetic testing for adult-onset neurodegenerative conditions, it is imperative that we better understand the impact of learning one's risk status. Frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) is the second most prevalent cause of early-onset dementia. About one-third of patients have an identifiable genetic etiology, and some genetic variants that cause FTD can also cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To understand individuals' risk perception and broader experience of living at risk, we completed semi-structured telephone interviews with 14 asymptomatic adults who tested positive for a variant known to cause risk for FTD and/or ALS. We conducted a thematic analysis, and within the core topic of identity, we derived three themes: conceptualization of FTD and ALS as a threat to identity, enduring uncertainty and dread, and varying centrality of risk status to identity. FTD and ALS risk raised fundamental issues for participants related to the essence of personhood, challenged them to confront Cartesian dualism (the philosophy of mind-body separation), and exposed how time, relationships, and social roles have affected their understanding of the nature of the self. Our findings provide important insight into how being at genetic risk shapes an individual's identity. We conclude that genetic counseling interventions that allow for identity exploration, anticipatory guidance, and uncertainty management should be utilized when supporting persons at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laynie Dratch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Jill Owczarzak
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Weiyi Mu
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Lauren Massimo
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Murray Grossman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Lori Erby
- McKusick-Nathans Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Center for Precision Health Research, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, MD
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2
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Howard J, Mazanderani F, Keenan KF, Turner MR, Locock L. Fluctuating salience in those living with genetic risk of motor neuron disease: A qualitative interview study. Health Expect 2024; 27:e14024. [PMID: 38528673 DOI: 10.1111/hex.14024] [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] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Motor neuron disease (MND) (also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) is a life-limiting neurodegenerative condition. In up to 20% of people with MND, a pathogenic variant associated with autosomal dominant inheritance can be identified. Children of people carrying a pathogenic variant have a 50% chance of inheriting this and a higher, although harder to predict, chance of developing the disease compared to the general adult population. This paper explores the experience of living with the genetic risk of MND. METHODS We undertook a UK-based interview study with 35 individuals, including: 7 people living with genetically-mediated forms of MND; 24 asymptomatic relatives, the majority of whom had an increased risk of developing the disease; and 4 unrelated partners. RESULTS We explore how individuals make sense of genetic risk, unpacking the interplay between genetic knowledge, personal perception, experiences of the disease in the family, age and life stage and the implications that living with risk has for different aspects of their lives. We balance an emphasis on the emotional and psychological impact described by participants, with a recognition that the salience of risk fluctuates over time. Furthermore, we highlight the diverse strategies and approaches people employ to live well in the face of uncertainty and the complex ways they engage with the possibility of developing symptoms in the future. Finally, we outline the need for open-ended, tailored support and information provision. CONCLUSIONS Drawing on wider literature on genetic risk, we foreground how knowledge of MND risk can disrupt individuals' taken-for-granted assumptions on life and perceptions of the future, but also its contextuality, whereby its relevance becomes more prominent at critical junctures. This research has been used in the development of a public-facing resource on the healthtalk.org website. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION People with experience of living with genetic risk were involved throughout the design and conduct of the study and advised on aspects including the topic guide, sampling and recruitment and the developing analysis. Two patient and public involvement contributors joined a formal advisory panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Howard
- Division of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Fadhila Mazanderani
- School of Social and Political Science, Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Louise Locock
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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3
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Pal G, Cook L, Schulze J, Verbrugge J, Alcalay RN, Merello M, Sue CM, Bardien S, Bonifati V, Chung SJ, Foroud T, Gatto E, Hall A, Hattori N, Lynch T, Marder K, Mascalzoni D, Novaković I, Thaler A, Raymond D, Salari M, Shalash A, Suchowersky O, Mencacci NE, Simuni T, Saunders‐Pullman R, Klein C. Genetic Testing in Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord 2023; 38:1384-1396. [PMID: 37365908 PMCID: PMC10946878 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29500] [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] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic testing for persons with Parkinson's disease is becoming increasingly common. Significant gains have been made regarding genetic testing methods, and testing is becoming more readily available in clinical, research, and direct-to-consumer settings. Although the potential utility of clinical testing is expanding, there are currently no proven gene-targeted therapies, but clinical trials are underway. Furthermore, genetic testing practices vary widely, as do knowledge and attitudes of relevant stakeholders. The specter of testing mandates financial, ethical, and physician engagement, and there is a need for guidelines to help navigate the myriad of challenges. However, to develop guidelines, gaps and controversies need to be clearly identified and analyzed. To this end, we first reviewed recent literature and subsequently identified gaps and controversies, some of which were partially addressed in the literature, but many of which are not well delineated or researched. Key gaps and controversies include: (1) Is genetic testing appropriate in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals without medical actionability? (2) How, if at all, should testing vary based on ethnicity? (3) What are the long-term outcomes of consumer- and research-based genetic testing in presymptomatic PD? (4) What resources are needed for clinical genetic testing, and how is this impacted by models of care and cost-benefit considerations? Addressing these issues will help facilitate the development of consensus and guidelines regarding the approach and access to genetic testing and counseling. This is also needed to guide a multidisciplinary approach that accounts for cultural, geographic, and socioeconomic factors in developing testing guidelines. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Pal
- Department of NeurologyRutgers‐Robert Wood Johnson Medical SchoolNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
| | - Lola Cook
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Jeanine Schulze
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Jennifer Verbrugge
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Roy N. Alcalay
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Movement Disorders Division, Neurological InstituteTel Aviv Sourasky Medical CenterTel AvivIsrael
| | - Marcelo Merello
- Neuroscience Department FleniCONICET, Catholic University of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Carolyn M. Sue
- Department of NeurologyRoyal North Shore HospitalSt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Neurogenetics, Kolling Institute, Faculty of Medicine and HealthUniversity of SydneySt LeonardsNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Soraya Bardien
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health SciencesStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
- South African Medical Research Council/Stellenbosch University Genomics of Brain Disorders Research UnitStellenbosch UniversityCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Vincenzo Bonifati
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MCUniversity Medical Center RotterdamRotterdamthe Netherlands
| | - Sun Ju Chung
- Department of Neurology, Asan Medical CenterUniversity of Ulsan College of MedicineSeoulSouth Korea
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Department of Medical and Molecular GeneticsIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisIndianaUSA
| | - Emilia Gatto
- Instituto de Neurociencias Buenos AiresAffiliated Buenos Aires UniversityBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Anne Hall
- Parkinson's FoundationNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Nobutaka Hattori
- Research Institute of Disease of Old Age, Graduate School of MedicineJuntendo UniversityTokyoJapan
- Department of NeurologyJuntendo University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Neurodegenerative Disorders Collaborative LaboratoryRIKEN Center for Brain ScienceSaitamaJapan
| | - Tim Lynch
- Dublin Neurological Institute at the Mater Misericordiae University HospitalDublinIreland
| | - Karen Marder
- Department of NeurologyColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Deborah Mascalzoni
- Institute for Biomedicine, Eurac ResearchAffiliated Institute of the University of LübeckBolzanoItaly
- Center for Research Ethics and Bioethics, Department of Public Health and Caring SciencesUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - Ivana Novaković
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of MedicineUniversity of BelgradeBelgradeSerbia
| | - Avner Thaler
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurological InstituteTel‐Aviv Medical CenterTel AvivIsrael
- Sackler School of MedicineTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Sagol School of NeuroscienceTel‐Aviv UniversityTel AvivIsrael
- Laboratory of Early Markers of Neurodegeneration, Neurological InstituteTel‐Aviv Medical CenterTel AvivIsrael
| | - Deborah Raymond
- Department of NeurologyMount Sinai Beth Israel and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Mehri Salari
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada‐e Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of ExcellenceShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Ali Shalash
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of MedicineAin Shams UniversityCairoEgypt
| | - Oksana Suchowersky
- Department of Medicine (Neurology), Medical Genetics and PediatricsUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonAlbertaCanada
| | - Niccolò E. Mencacci
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Simpson Querrey Center for NeurogeneticsNorthwestern University, Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Tanya Simuni
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders CenterNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Rachel Saunders‐Pullman
- Department of NeurologyMount Sinai Beth Israel and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Christine Klein
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of Lübeck and University Hospital Schleswig‐HolsteinLübeckGermany
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Crook A, Jacobs C, Newton‐John T, McEwen A. Genetic counseling and diagnostic genetic testing for familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and/or frontotemporal dementia: A qualitative study of client experiences. J Genet Couns 2022; 31:1206-1218. [PMID: 35635300 PMCID: PMC9796327 DOI: 10.1002/jgc4.1591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Genetic counseling and diagnostic genetic testing is part of the multidisciplinary care of people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, commonly called motor neurone disease, MND) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We explored client experiences of genetic counseling and diagnostic testing to inform the care of future families. Semi-structured interviews with individuals with ALS/MND/FTD or their relatives were conducted. The study was designed to include a wide variety of participants with varying disease status and abilities. Genetic counseling and diagnostic testing experiences were explored using interpretive description methodology. Bioecological theory was used as the framework for the reflexive thematic analysis. Eighteen individuals with ALS/MND/FTD or their relatives from 13 Australian families participated. Three themes were identified: sharing knowledge, (un)supportive care, and 'circumstance is everything'. Consistent with bioecological theory, one's genetic counseling experience was informed by individual circumstances, time, and proximal factors. These informed the level of information and support required in the genetic counseling process. Although some client circumstances cannot be changed, efforts could be made to enhance genetic counseling experiences by improving interactions between the client and their care team. Some clients may benefit from further discussions regarding the familial implications of genetic testing, and greater support with family communication. Clients' needs were derived from the data and will contribute to genetic counseling consensus guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Crook
- Graduate School of HealthUniversity of Technology SydneyChippendaleNew South WalesAustralia,Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Centre for MND ResearchMacquarie UniversitySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Chris Jacobs
- Graduate School of HealthUniversity of Technology SydneyChippendaleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Toby Newton‐John
- Graduate School of HealthUniversity of Technology SydneyChippendaleNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Alison McEwen
- Graduate School of HealthUniversity of Technology SydneyChippendaleNew South WalesAustralia
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article discusses the spectrum of genetic risk in familial and sporadic forms of early- and late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Recent work illuminating the complex genetic architecture of AD is discussed in the context of high and low risk and what is known in different populations. RECENT FINDINGS A small proportion of AD is autosomal dominant familial AD caused by variants in PSEN1, PSEN2, or APP, although more recently described rare genetic changes can also increase risk substantially over the general population, with odds ratios estimated at 2 to 4. APOE remains the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD, and understanding the biology of APOE has yielded mechanistic insights and leads for therapeutic interventions. Genome-wide studies enabled by rapidly developing technologic advances in sequencing have identified numerous risk factors that have a low impact on risk but are widely shared throughout the population and involve a repertoire of cell pathways, again shining light on potential paths to intervention. Population studies aimed at defining and stratifying genetic AD risk have been informative, although they are not yet widely applicable clinically because the studies were not performed in people with diverse ancestry and ethnicity and thus population-wide data are lacking. SUMMARY The value of genetic information to practitioners in the clinic is distinct from information sought by researchers looking to identify novel therapeutic targets. It is possible to envision a future in which genetic stratification joins other biomarkers to facilitate therapeutic choices and inform prognosis. Genetics already has transformed our understanding of AD pathogenesis and will, no doubt, continue to reveal the complexity of brain biology in health and disease.
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McNeill A, Amador MDM, Bekker H, Clarke A, Crook A, Cummings C, McEwen A, McDermott C, Quarrell O, Renieri A, Roggenbuck J, Salmon K, Volk A, Weishaupt J. Predictive genetic testing for Motor neuron disease: time for a guideline? Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:635-636. [PMID: 35379930 PMCID: PMC9177585 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-022-01093-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alisdair McNeill
- Department of Neuroscience, the University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK.
| | - Maria-Del-Mar Amador
- Département de Neurologie, Centre de Référence SLA de Paris, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Sorbonne Université Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Hilary Bekker
- Leeds Unit of Complex Intervention Development (LUCID), Leeds Institute of Health Science, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Angus Clarke
- Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK
| | - Ashley Crook
- Centre for MND Research, Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Cathy Cummings
- International Aliance of ALS/MND Associations, Northampton, UK
| | - Alison McEwen
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher McDermott
- Department of Neuroscience, the University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Oliver Quarrell
- Department of Neuroscience, the University of Sheffield, 385A Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | | | - Jennifer Roggenbuck
- Department of Neurology and Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, 43212, USA
| | - Kristiana Salmon
- Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Alexander Volk
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Weishaupt
- Division of Neurodegeneration, Department of Neurology, Mannheim Center for Translational Neurosciences (MCTN), Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167, Mannheim, Germany
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Galluzzi S, Mega A, Di Fede G, Muscio C, Fascendini S, Benussi L, Tagliavini F, Frisoni GB, Di Maria E. Psychological Impact of Predictive Genetic Testing for Inherited Alzheimer Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia: The IT-DIAfN Protocol. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2022; 36:118-124. [PMID: 35293381 PMCID: PMC9132242 DOI: 10.1097/wad.0000000000000494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM Our aim was to evaluate the psychological impact of predictive genetic testing in individuals at-risk for inherited dementia who underwent a structured counseling and testing protocol. METHODS Participants were healthy at-risk relatives from families with at least one affected patient, in whom a disease-associated genetic variant had been ascertained. A comprehensive psychological assessment (personality, anxiety and depression, quality of life, coping strategies, resilience and health-related beliefs) was administered at baseline, at 6 months and 12 months follow-up. RESULTS Twenty-four participants from 13 families were included. Sixteen participants underwent blood sampling and genetic analysis; 6 resulted to be carriers of pathogenic variants (1 in PSEN1, 1 in PSEN2, 4 in GRN). Carriers showed higher score on the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) - social competence, and on Multidimensional Health Locus of Control - internal, than noncarriers (P=0.03 for both). Ten at-risk relatives who completed the follow-up showed improvement in RSA - planned future (P=0.01) with respect to baseline. DISCUSSION Our case series showed that at-risk individuals undergoing predictive testing showed benefit on personal life and no detrimental impact on a broad range of psychological outcomes. Higher social skills and lower internal health locus of control in carriers may be an early psychological correlate of preclinical dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Mega
- Laboratory Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging and Epidemiology
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Neurology V – Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano
| | - Cristina Muscio
- Neurology V – Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano
| | | | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano
| | | | - Giovanni B. Frisoni
- Laboratory Alzheimer’s Neuroimaging and Epidemiology
- Memory Clinic, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
| | - Emilio Di Maria
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa
- Unit of Medical Genetics, Galliera Hospital, Genoa
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Crook A, McEwen A. Genetic counselling and testing for neurodegenerative disorders using a proposed standard of practice for ALS/MND: diagnostic testing comes first. Eur J Hum Genet 2022; 30:394-395. [PMID: 34983943 PMCID: PMC8990066 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-021-01036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Crook
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia.
- Centre for MND research and Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Alison McEwen
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
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9
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Crook A, Jacobs C, Newton-John T, McEwen A. Toward genetic counseling practice standards for diagnostic testing in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 23:562-574. [PMID: 35343344 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2051553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Genetic counseling and diagnostic genetic testing are considered part of the multidisciplinary care of individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We aimed to investigate the ideal components of genetic counseling for ALS/FTD diagnostic testing amongst various stakeholders using an online, modified Delphi survey. Methods: Experts in genetic counseling and testing for ALS/FTD were purposively then snowball recruited and included genetic health professionals, health professionals outside of genetics and consumer experts (patients, relatives, and staff representatives from ALS/FTD support organizations). First-round items were informed by two systematic literature reviews and qualitative interviews with patients and families who had experienced diagnostic testing. Analysis of each round informed the development of the subsequent round and the final results. Results: Forty-six experts participated in the study, 95.65% completed both rounds. After round one, items were updated based on participant responses and were presented again for consensus in round two. After round two, a high level of consensus (≥80% agreement) was achieved on 16 items covering various topics related to genetic counseling service delivery, before and after diagnostic testing is facilitated. Conclusions: Genetic counseling for individuals with ALS/FTD and their families should include the provision of client-centered counseling, education and support throughout. The items developed are adaptable to varied healthcare settings and may inform a standard of genetic counseling practice for health professionals who facilitate testing and counseling discussions. This area of work is timely, given demand for testing is likely to increase as more genotype-driven clinical trials become available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Crook
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia.,Centre for MND research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Chris Jacobs
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
| | - Toby Newton-John
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
| | - Alison McEwen
- Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Chippendale, NSW, Australia
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Tookey S, Greaves CV, Rohrer JD, Desai R, Stott J. Exploring experiences and needs of spousal carers of people with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) including those with familial FTD (fFTD): a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:185. [PMID: 35255821 PMCID: PMC8900344 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-02867-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Carers of people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) experience greater challenges than carers of people with other dementias due to the younger age of onset and the challenging presentation of symptoms. The aim of the present study was to explore experiences of spousal carers of people with bvFTD, including those with the familial form of the disease (fFTD). Method Fourteen qualitative interviews were analysed using an inductive approach to Thematic Analysis to understand experiences of spousal carers of people with bvFTD including those with fFTD. Results Five main themes were identified including: a) The “Constant Battle” – A journey toward an FTD diagnosis, b) Shock, Relief and Fear – Challenges persist post diagnosis, c) The “Life Altering” impact – The loss of the spousal relationship and shifting roles, d) Adapting, Managing Symptoms and Receiving Carer Support, e) Lack of General Knowledge – Barriers to support. Conclusions Healthcare professionals should be educated on the initial presentations of FTD, to enable carers and families receive timely diagnosis and appropriate support. Future research should investigate the impact of fFTD on carers and families, to explore positive or meaningful experiences in caring, as well as theory-driven research to identify helpful coping strategies for carers of people with FTD. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-022-02867-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Tookey
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Caroline V Greaves
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Jonathan D Rohrer
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Roopal Desai
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK
| | - Joshua Stott
- ADAPT Lab, Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7HB, UK.
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