Neurogenetic Diagnoses The Power of Hope and the Limits of Today}}}s Medicine [Paperback]

As world populations continue to age, the incidence of very common, ultimately fatal neurodegenerative diseases (some of medicines most puzzling illnesses) will increase exponentially. Neurogenetic Diagnoses, the Power of Hope, and the Limits of Todays Medicine explores the diverse impacts and intense meanings of genetic diagnoses for patients suffering from such diseases, and for their family caregivers and clinicians. Through richly-textured, often heart-wrenching longitudinal case studies, Neurogenetic Diagnoses...reveals how extremely difficult it can be for patients to obtain a definitive diagnosis for the cause of their symptoms, even with genetic testing; how, with or without definitive diagnoses, patients and family caregivers strive to come to terms with their situations; and how they are aided (or not) in these endeavors by their doctors. The analysis is framed by increasingly sharp social debate over the consequences of decoding the human genome -- and the impact of genetic technology on our lives.

Introduction  Part 1: Searching for Answers1. A New Door Opening 2. Destination Unknown  Part 2: Coming to Terms with Devastating Prognoses3. Controlling Destiny 4. Dream of a New Life Part 3: Caregivers 5. Maintaining Hope and Independence in the Face of Despair 6. The Neurologists Conundrum Final Reflections

Through the voices of persons with neurodegenerative movement disorders, their family caregivers and neurologists, Browner and Preloran bring to life the meaning of neurogenetic diagnoses and how genetic information is understood. Timely, relevant, and accessible, this book will appeal to both academic and lay audiences.

...[a]  superbly insightful work...  Lindal#