Euthanasia and assisted suicide in neurological diseases: a systematic review

Objective

To identify the neurological diseases for which euthanasia and assisted suicide are most frequently requested in the countries where these medical procedures are legal and the specific characteristics of euthanasia in some of these diseases, and to show the evolution of euthanasia figures.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review.

Results

Dementia, motor neuron disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are the neurological diseases that most frequently motivate requests for euthanasia or assisted suicide. Requests related to dementia constitute the largest group, are growing, and raise additional ethical and legal issues due to these patients’ diminished decision-making capacity. In some countries, the ratios of euthanasia requests to all cases of multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, or Huntington disease are higher than for any other disease.

Conclusions

After cancer, neurological diseases are the most frequent reason for requesting euthanasia or assisted suicide.