Palliative Care-Main Role of Nursing: An Updated Review Article for Palliative Care in Brain Disorders with Focus on Biochemical Brain Markers.

Background: Brain disorders, including high-grade gliomas, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease, are associated with severe physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges that impact quality of life for both patients and their caregivers. Palliative care, with a central role played by nursing, addresses these complex needs, focusing on symptom management, psychological support, and improving quality of life through targeted interventions.Aim: This review aims to examine the role of nursing in palliative care for patients with brain disorders, highlighting specific nursing interventions, symptom management, caregiver support, and adherence to clinical guidelines. Special attention is given to the need for early palliative involvement, end-of-life support, and approaches tailored to neurocognitive and psychiatric symptoms.Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing studies published on nursing interventions in palliative care, focusing on clinical practice guidelines, healthcare service utilization, and common challenges encountered by patients with brain disorders. Key domains included pain management, symptom control, simulation-based education for nurses, and support for families and caregivers.Results: The findings highlight that nurses play an essential role in symptom management and emotional support, especially in managing pain, neurocognitive symptoms, epilepsy, fatigue, psychiatric symptoms, and end-of-life needs. Nurses also facilitate adherence to clinical practice guidelines and support home-based palliative care, which can reduce hospital admissions and improve end-of-life quality. Simulation-based education was found to enhance nurses' competencies in delivering high-quality palliative care.Conclusion: Effective nursing-led palliative care interventions can substantially improve the quality of life for patients with brain disorders. Nurses' specialized skills in managing neurological symptoms and offering psychological support are critical for addressing both patient and caregiver needs. Early integration of palliative care is recommended to improve outcomes, particularly in managing neurocognitive decline and other complex symptoms associated with brain disorders.