Cognitive and behaviour changes are found in up to 50% of people with motor neuron disease (pMND). This includes executive dysfunction (problems in attention, doing two things at once, problem solving and decision making) language dysfunction, social cognition difficulties and apathy. In our work we are investigating the specific types of problems in pMND, and also whether these changes have an impact on daily functioning and importantly decision making.
People living with MND have to make important decisions throughout their illness, including whether to engage in clinical trials and specific medical treatments, which may prolong survival. With assisted dying legislation being debated recently in the UK, and although not passed by parliament, it gained considerable support and remains an important issue for people with neurodegenerative disease.
Mental capacity involves the ability to understand, retain and appreciate, weigh up and communicate a specific decision. Judging whether someone has mental capacity to make a specific decision has legal implications and may affect care and financial decision and is important for the person and their family members.
Our research aims to investigate whether people living with MND have some difficulties in mental capacity to make these decisions.
Related research projects
- Decision making and assisted dying - funded by the MND Association
- Decision making to consent to clinical trials - CSO funded SPRINT PhD studentship
- Decision making to consent to a medical treatment, gastrostomy - project funded by MND Scotland
