Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Guidance on Communication, Objections, Pregnancy, and Public Trust

This position statement provides updated member guidance from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) regarding (1) communication with surrogate decision makers about brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), (2) management of surrogate decision-maker objections to BD/DNC, (3) the ethical considerations associated with BD/DNC determination in a pregnant person, and (4) enhancing public trust in BD/DNC. This position statement is intended to complement recommendations in the 2023 "Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Consensus Guideline" published by the AAN, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society, and Society of Critical Care Medicine, as well as the 2021 AAN Code of Professional Conduct. It replaces the 2019 AAN position statement, "Brain death, the determination of brain death, and member guidance for brain death accommodation requests."