[Anti-Alzheimer drugs: ethical aspects of research and practice]

Abstract

The development and use of drugs that aim at positively influencing the cognitive decline in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease raises a number of ethical questions. These concern, amongst others, the significance of these drugs for the well-being and quality of life of patients, as well as the informed consent for the use of these medicines, in particular in the context of medical-scientific research. Assessing the value and significance of antidementia drugs not only depends on the positive effect on cognitive decline, but also on the broader meaning for the quality of life of the patient and her primary carer(s). The subjective experiences of those directly involved deserve more attention in research.