Apr 12, 2024 04:50 PM
https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1040871
INTRO: A recent Mayo Clinic study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association investigated lucid episodes in people living with later stages of dementia, providing insights into how these occurrences reveal themselves.
The findings showed that 75% of people having lucid episodes were reported to have Alzheimer’s Disease as opposed to other forms of dementia.
Researchers define lucid episodes as unexpected, spontaneous, meaningful and relevant communication from a person who is assumed to have permanently lost the capacity for coherent interactions, either verbally or through gestures and actions.
Family caregivers of people living with dementia were surveyed and asked about witnessing lucid episodes. Researchers then classified the episodes into types. The study aimed to determine if there were distinct patterns or types of lucid episodes that could be used to understand why or when they happen.
Joan Griffin, Ph.D., lead author of the study. "We determined the types of episodes based on the circumstances surrounding the episode, the quality of the communication during the episode, how long it lasted, the level of cognition of the person living with dementia before the episode and the proximity to death," says Joan Griffin, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
The findings revealed that of those having lucid episodes, 61% were women, with 31% living in the same household as the caregiver who responded to the survey.
"We know these lucid episodes are happening, but we didn't know if there are different types of episodes that happen at different times or under different circumstances," says Dr. Griffin. "This study helped clarify that different types of episodes likely exist."
Contrary to findings from previous research, the conclusions of this study challenge the idea that lucid episodes may signal impending death... (MORE - details, no ads)
INTRO: A recent Mayo Clinic study published in Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association investigated lucid episodes in people living with later stages of dementia, providing insights into how these occurrences reveal themselves.
The findings showed that 75% of people having lucid episodes were reported to have Alzheimer’s Disease as opposed to other forms of dementia.
Researchers define lucid episodes as unexpected, spontaneous, meaningful and relevant communication from a person who is assumed to have permanently lost the capacity for coherent interactions, either verbally or through gestures and actions.
Family caregivers of people living with dementia were surveyed and asked about witnessing lucid episodes. Researchers then classified the episodes into types. The study aimed to determine if there were distinct patterns or types of lucid episodes that could be used to understand why or when they happen.
Joan Griffin, Ph.D., lead author of the study. "We determined the types of episodes based on the circumstances surrounding the episode, the quality of the communication during the episode, how long it lasted, the level of cognition of the person living with dementia before the episode and the proximity to death," says Joan Griffin, Ph.D., lead author of the study.
The findings revealed that of those having lucid episodes, 61% were women, with 31% living in the same household as the caregiver who responded to the survey.
"We know these lucid episodes are happening, but we didn't know if there are different types of episodes that happen at different times or under different circumstances," says Dr. Griffin. "This study helped clarify that different types of episodes likely exist."
Contrary to findings from previous research, the conclusions of this study challenge the idea that lucid episodes may signal impending death... (MORE - details, no ads)