AAN Position Statements

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has developed position statements on a variety of ethical issues to help guide neurologists and others in decision making. The following position statements are available either online or through AAN Member Services:

• Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Neurologist (1998).
• Cerebrovascular Disease, Consent Issues in Management of (1999).
• Chronic Pain, Ethical Considerations for Neurologists in the Management of (2001).
• Clinical Research in Neurology, Ethical issues in (1998).
• Code of Professional Conduct (March 2008).
• Conflicts of Interest, American Academy of Neurology Policy on (1998).
• Demented Patient, Ethical Issues in Management of (April 1996).
• Direct-to-consumer Advertising, Participation of Neurologists in (2001).
• Genetic Testing Alert (1996).
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Type 1(HIV-1) in Neurologic Practice, Guidelines for Prevention of Transmission (1989).
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection, Nomenclature and Research Case Definitions for Neurologic Manifestations of (1991).
• Humanistic Dimensions of Professionalism in the Practice of Neurology (2001).
• Life-Sustaining Treatment, Including Artificial Nutrition and Hydration, For Patients Lacking Decision-Making Capacity, Position Statement on Laws and Regulations Concerning (2007).
• Palliative Care in Neurology (March 1996).
• Physician Expert Witness, Qualifications and Guidelines for (January 2006).
• Profoundly and Irreversibly Paralyzed Patients with Retained Consciousness and Cognition, Care and Management of (1993).
• Persistent Vegetative State Patient, Position of the American Academy of Neurology on Certain Aspects of the Care and Management of the (1989).
• Traumatic Brain Injury, Securing the Necessary Neurological Care for Combat Veterans with (March 2007).

AAN Federal Legislation Position Statements

The AAN's Legislative Affairs Committee develops comprehensive position and policy statements as guides for AAN members and legislators.

Feel free to share the following statements with your Senators and Representatives:

• Anticonvulsant Drug Coverage (.pdf)
• Mandatory Reporting (.pdf)
• Electromyography (EMG) as a Practice of Medicine (.pdf)
• Artificial Nutrition and Hydration (.pdf)
• Pay-for-Performance (.pdf)
• Stem Cell Research (.pdf)
• Pain Legislation (.pdf)