To address relevant issues related to the communication of genetic test
results from laboratories to clinicians, from clinicians to tested
individuals and within families, as well as to review guidelines for
predictive genetic testing and counselling.
The working group is a multidisciplinary working group with clinical and lab geneticists, neurologists, psychologists, psychiatrists and with a number of leading persons of the European Huntington's Disease Association.
Well motivated members of the European HD Network belonging to the disciplines mentioned and who were not contacted in Dresden are of course welcome to join the working group.
Aims of the working group
The first goal is the elaboration of guidelines for the communication of the number of CAG-repeats
and the implications for the future (health) of the tested person - or
fetus or embryo – as well as for the transmission to the next
generation(s), taking into account the instability of the mutation.
Special attention will be paid to reduced penetrance alleles and
intermediate alleles.
In the communication issues several levels should receive attention:
communication by the molecular geneticist to the neurologist or clinical geneticist
communication
by the neurologist or clinical geneticist to the tested person or the
persons concerned (depending on the type of test).
communication within the family.
Additional objectives related to genetic testing for HD may result from the discussions during the meeting of the working group. To
reach its goal the working group should be multidisciplinary
(neurologists, clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, molecular
geneticists, psychologists) and involve key representatives from the
European Huntington Association.
Lead facilitators:
Dr. Marina Frontali
Medical geneticist, Scientific and Bioethics Advisory Committee, Principal Investigator, Working Group, Lead Facilitator Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale, CNR
Postal address:
Via Fosso del Cavaliere 00133 Rome Italia
phone:
+39 06 49934222
fax:
+39 06 49934257
e-mail:
Dr. Rhona MacLeod
Lecturer in Medical Genetics/Consultant Genetic Counsellor Genetic Medicine St Mary's Hospital Oxford Road Manchester
Postal address:
M13 9WL U.K.
phone:
+44 (0)161 276 6510
fax:
+44 (0)161 276 6145
e-mail:
Prof.Dr. Aad Tibben
Psychologist-Psychotherapist, Working Group, former Lead Facilitator Leiden University Medical Centre, Clinical Genetics and Neurology
Postal address:
P.O.Box 9600 2300RC Leiden Nederland
phone:
+31 71 5268033
fax:
+31 71 5266749
e-mail:
First workshop in Leuven on Thursday 8 - Friday 9 May 2008