Ethical and Legal Issues in Neurology

Advances in our understanding of the brain and rapid advances in the medical practice of neurology are creating questions and concerns from an ethical and legal perspective. Ethical and Legal Issues in Neurology provides a detailed review of various general aspects of neuroethics, and contains chapters dealing with a vast array of specific issues such as the role of religion, the ethics of invasive neuroscience research, and the impact of potential misconduct in neurologic practice. The book focuses particular attention on problems related to palliative care, euthanasia, dementia, and neurogenetic disorders, and concludes with examinations of consciousness, personal identity, and the definition of death. This volume focuses on practices not only in North America but also in Europe and the developing world. It is a useful resource for all neuroscience and neurology professionals, researchers, students, scholars, practicing clinical neurologists, mental health professionals, and psychiatrists. A comprehensive introduction and reference on neuroethics Includes coverage of how best to understand the ethics and legal aspects of dementia, palliative care, euthanasia and neurogenetic disorders Brings clarity to issues regarding ethics and legal responsibilities in the age of rapidly evolving brain science and related clinical practice Table of Contents 1. Ethical principles and concepts in medicine 2. Analysis and resolution of ethical problems 3. Hospital bioethics committees and consultants 4. Legal principles and concepts in medicine 5. Legal process, litigation, and judicial decisions 6. Ethics, law and the neurologist 7. Religion and medical ethics 8. Professional conduct and misconduct 9. Medical error and disclosure 10. Professionalism in medicine 11. Palliative care in chronic neurological illness 12. Palliative care in the dying neurological patient 13. Withdrawing & withholding life-sustaining treatment 14. European perspectives on ethics and law in end-of-life care 15. Medical futility 16. Assisted suicide and euthanasia 17. Brain death 18. Coma and disorders of consciousness 19. Neurologically imperiled neonates 20. States of paralysis with intact cognition 21. Dementia 22. Developmental impairment 23. Neurogenetic disorders 24. Technology assessment 25. Medical cost and quality and practice guidelines 26. Public policy and healthcare systems 27. Research involving human subjects 28. Clinical research in the developing world 29. The ethics of invasive neuroscience research 30. The ethics of neuro-enhancement 31. Ethical issues in research neuroethics 32. Legal issues in research neuroethics 33. Social issues in neuroethics 34. Neurophilosophy of consciousness 35. Neurophilosophy of personal identity 36. The definition of death   James L. Bernat Dr. (Editor), Richard Beresford Dr. (Editor)