213 - ECT-AD: Ethics and informed consent issues

Abstract Agitation is experienced by over 90% of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which increases morbidity and mortality contribute to caregiver burden. There are no FDA-approved treatments for severe agitation in people advanced dementia. Behavioral interventions first-line management strategies but not effective the most severely agitated patients. Off-label use psychotropic medications have limited efficacy risk adverse effects. New AD refractory psychopharmacologic behavioral timely warranted. Preliminary studies provide evidence safety acute electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) reducing this population. The ECT-AD study a multi-site NIH-funded randomized single-blind controlled trial investigate ECT treatment aggression AD. In vulnerable population dementia lack capacity informed consent, there ethical consent issues that need be considered. presentation, we will describe human research subject aspects working population, process variation state laws, efforts ensure participant minimize undue influence or coercion.