To date, there are limited empirical data to inform various approaches to communication with patients receiving information on Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk or diagnosis during the pre-symptomatic or minimally symptomatic stages. This article explores the ethical implications of psychological responses known as self-fulfilling prophecies that may impact cognitive decline among individuals diagnosed with or at risk for AD. We describe questions these potential effects raise about the ways clinicians communicate with patients, as well as how caregivers may interact with patients. Recent advancements in biomarkers and treatment for AD underscore the urgency of understanding these phenomena and developing appropriate responses.
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