Investigating how possible cognitive and behavioural changes in MND may impact a person's ability to make a decision about assisted dying.
Principal investigator: Prof Sharon Abrahams
Lead Institution: University of Edinburgh
MND Association Funding: £236,035
Funding dates: September 2025 - August 2028
About the project
Legislation over assisted dying is currently being debated in the UK and USA, and all bills have included a statement on the person needing to have the capacity to make an informed decision. Previous research has shown that up to 50% of people with MND experience cognitive and/or behaviour changes and in some people these changes are severe enough to be diagnosed as a frontotemporal dementia (FTD). This project will investigate how these cognitive and behavioural changes may impact a person's ability to make a decision over assisted dying. It will also explore the views of people with MND and healthcare professionals on assisted dying legislation and consider ethical issues surrounding assisted dying which may be specific to this disease.
What could this mean for MND research?
The project could help to guide and support people with MND, their families and caregivers, policy makers and clinical professionals through the decision process for assisted dying. It could also highlight some of the ethical considerations to address for assisted dying in MND.
Project code: 965-794