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What is paradoxical lucidity? The answer begins with its definition
Author(s) -
Peterson Andrew,
Clapp Justin,
Largent Emily A.,
Harkins Kristin,
Stites Shana D.,
Karlawish Jason
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.12424
Subject(s) - operationalization , phenomenon , psychology , dementia , epistemology , protocol (science) , cognitive science , medicine , philosophy , alternative medicine , disease , pathology
Paradoxical lucidity in dementia is a clinically significant but understudied phenomenon. A provisional definition was proposed by the 2018 National Institute on Aging expert workshop and published in Alzheimer's and Dementia . However, several conceptual features of this definition remain vague, creating barriers to robust clinical research. Here, we critically analyze the provisional definition and present a refined definition that can be applied in clinical research. The refined definition is based on an analytic process our research group recently undertook to operationalize paradoxical lucidity for our own study protocol. Our goal is to facilitate debate and potentially harmonize interpretations of paradoxical lucidity among research groups.