Author Description

When predictive testing and prenatal testing for Huntington's disease became a reality, about 15 years ago, this was a milestone in medical history and a new challenge for families and professionals. In the meantime many DNA tests have been performed and the elaborated approach has become a model for several other (currently) incurable late onset diseases. Prenatal Testing for Late Onset Neurological Diseases deals with prenatal testing (full prenatal diagnosis, prenatal exclusion testing and preimplantation genetic diagnosis) within the context of the complex reproductive decision-making process that families at increased genetic risk for a late onset disease are facing. The chapters cover clinical, psychological, social and ethical issues as well as legal aspects of prenatal testing for late onset disease. Moreover the families' perspective is an integral part of the book. The book pays attention to differences in several European countries and in North America. The editors and authors are professionals who have all been very actively involved (some of them long before the availability of DNA testing) in Huntington's disease and other neurogenetic diseases in practice and/or research. The book is essential reading for medical specialists (clinical geneticists, obstetricians and neurologists), psychologists and other professionals who get in touch with families with late onset disease as well as for ethicists and lawyers with a particular interest in genetic testing. It will also be useful for families and family associations confronted with late onset neurogenetic disease.