Paradoxical Lucidity in Severe End-Stage Dementia: A Mixed Methods Prospective Study

Brief description of study

Cognitive decline in dementia is considered irreversible, however episodes of paradoxical lucidity (PL) in severe dementia suggest other mechanisms may be in play. Beyond anecdotal reports of transient PL events occurring in patients predominantly in late-stage dementia and typically lasting anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, we know little about PL. We propose to address these weaknesses by developing and conducting a mixed methods prospective study of PL during end stage advanced dementia, creating a definition and measurement scale for PL in advanced dementia, and identifying the potential electro cortical biomarkers of PL in advanced dementia. This study will be divided in two phases: Phase I and Phase II. Phase I will assess the safety and feasibility of using symptom diaries and real-time video EEG monitoring. After preliminary review of the study procedures, the PI will decide whether or not to move onto the Phase II. The second phase will aim to expand the study population and refine study methods as well as create a definition and measurement scale for PL in advances dementia.


Clinical Study Identifier: s20-01854
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05234866
Principal Investigator: Sam Parnia.
Other Investigators: Joshua Lee Ross, Lindsey J Gurin, Sakina Ouedraogo Tall, Joshua Chodosh, Joseph Lowy, Susan E. Cohen.


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