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:

• Securing the Necessary Neurological Care for Combat Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury (.pdf)
• Position Statement on Laws and Regulations Concerning Life-Sustaining Treatment, Including Artificial Nutrition and Hydration, For Patients Lacking Decision-Making Capacity (.pdf) (June 2006)
• Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia, and the Neurologist (.pdf)
• Care and Management of Profoundly and Irreversibly Paralyzed Patients with Retained Consciousness and Cognition, Certain Aspects of (.pdf) (November 1993)
• Cerebrovascular Disease, Consent Issues in Management (.pdf)
• Chronic Pain, Ethical Considerations for Neurologists in Management (.pdf)
• Clinical Evaluations (.pdf) (1977-1986, Revised 1991) (unpublished)
• Conflicts of Interest, American Academy of Neurology Policy on (.pdf)
• Demented Patient, Ethical Issues in Management (.pdf) (April 1996)
• Participation of Neurologists in Direct-to-consumer Advertising (.pdf) (2001)
• Ethical Role of Neurologists in the AIDS Epidemic (.pdf) (May 1992)
• Expert Witness, Qualifications and Guidelines for the Physician (.pdf) (January 2006)
• Genetic Testing Alert (.pdf)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Type 1 (HIV-1) Infection, Nomenclature and Research Case Definitions for Neurologic Manifestations of (.pdf) (June 1991)
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Type (HIV-1) in Neurologic Practice, Guidelines for Prevention of Transmission (.pdf) (Jan. 1989)
• Humanistic Dimensions of Professionalism in the Practice of Neurology (.pdf)
• Managed Care and Neurologists: Ethical Considerations (.pdf)
• Palliative Care in Neurology (.pdf) (March 1996)
• Persistent Vegetative State Patient, Position of the American Academy of Neurology on Certain Aspects of the Care and Management of the (.pdf) (January 1989)

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)