Terminal lucidity and dementia: Definition and causes Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about terminal lucidity and dementiaMedically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — By Caitlin Geng on August 30, 2022Dementia refers to an impaired ability to think, remember, or make decisions, and it may interfere with a person’s daily life. Although dementia typically affects older people, it is not a typical component of aging. In 2014, there were around 5 million older adults with dementia in the United States. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Terminal lucidity refers to a return to mental clarity and working memory that some dementia patients experience shortly before death. Some researchers also refer to terminal lucidity as paradoxical lucidity. This article discusses what terminal lucidity is in more detail, what causes it, and how long it lasts. To discover more evidence-based information and resources for Alzheimer’s & dementia, visit our dedicated hub. What is terminal lucidity Share on PinterestImagesBazaar/Getty ImagesTerminal lucidity is not an official medical term, but it refers to people with dementia unexpectedly returning to a clear mental state shortly before death. Experts do not know exactly why a person may experience this lucidity, and more research on the neurological mechanisms involved is necessary. It is not uncommon for people who have severe dementia and have previously not been able to communicate well or at all to exhibit sudden cognitive improvements, often shortly before death. The episodes may be in response to familiar voices, music, or visits from someone they know. A notable shift in a person’s behavioral or communicative abilities, such as prolonged eye contact or spontaneously talking, often characterizes terminal lucidity. One study of 124 people with dementia who experienced terminal lucidity found that more than 80% exhibited a return of their responsive verbal ability, memory, and orientation. While over 90% of the participants experienced extreme cognitive impairment, around 80% had periods of lucidity involving clear verbal communication that appeared almost typical. What causes terminal lucidity Experts do not understand terminal lucidity well and are not sure of the neurological mechanisms that cause the phenomenon. Anecdotal reports comprise much of what experts know currently, and more clinical evidence is necessary to fully understand terminal lucidity. Terminal lucidity may occur in people with other conditions, including those with brain tumors, strokes, and schizophrenia. Research suggests that cognitive abilities and memory may function differently during terminal lucidity in comparison to those of a typical brain. Further research into the functioning of the brain during terminal lucidity is necessary, not only to better understand the phenomenon but also because it could contribute to a better understanding of dementia. Understanding the underlying neurobiology may help further research into treatments and therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. How long may terminal lucidity last Current research indicates that terminal lucidity may last anywhere between hours and days. One study suggests that more than 90% of people with severe dementia who exhibit terminal lucidity could die within 7 days, 41% within 1–2 days, and 15% within 2 hours. However, further analysis is necessary for researchers to provide more conclusive evidence. Terminal lucidity can be particularly difficult for loved ones of people with dementia, as it may provide false hope that their loved one is getting better. Further research into terminal lucidity may help people enjoy time with their loved one while they are more cognizant, while also accepting that this period may signal that it is time to prepare for their death. Preparing for the death of a loved one is always difficult, no matter the circumstances. Family members and caregivers often live with an ambiguous and uncertain notion that the death of their loved one is impending, with no medical certainties or knowledge of when or how. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may live between 4–8 years or as long as 20 years after diagnosis. Researchers found that over a third of bereaved caregivers of people with dementia were unprepared for the death of their loved one, which left them at a higher risk of anxiety, depression, and complicated grief. Recognizing terminal lucidity may help families and caregivers begin to prepare themselves emotionally for the death of their loved one. Data suggests there appears to be a link between these unexpected lucid moments and impending death. Preparing for the death of a loved one is an individual process. However, there are steps that may help the bereaved feel more accepting and allow them to be more present for the loved one they are losing. These include:accepting that death is going to happen soongetting the financial, legal, medical, and insurance documents in ordersaying goodbye to the loved onegiving “permission” to the loved one to die, or letting them go Help and support People who have dementia or loved ones who have dementia may find the following resources helpful:Alzheimer’s Association: For in-person and online support communities.ALZConnected: For online support communities.Family Caregiver Alliance: For in-person and online support communities.Alzheimer’s Foundation of America: For various resources.Dementia Friendly America: For support and joining a network of communities. Summary Terminal lucidity is a phenomenon that healthcare professionals are still learning about. It refers to the unexpected return of clear cognition of a person with severe dementia shortly before death. More research is necessary to understand terminal lucidity. Future research may provide healthcare professionals with a greater understanding of dementia and new, potential therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Terminal lucidity can be especially difficult for loved ones of those with dementia, as it may provide false hope that their loved one is making a recovery. It may also offer people time with their loved ones during a period of unexpected mental clarity and help them begin to prepare for their loved one’s death. Last medically reviewed on August 30, 2022Alzheimer's / DementiaCaregivers / HomecareNeurology / NeurosciencePalliative Care / Hospice Care 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Batthyány, A., et al. (2021). Spontaneous remission of dementia before death: Results from a study on paradoxical lucidity.https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/wp-content/uploads/sites/360/2021/04/terminal-lucidity-PC.pdfHovland-Scafe, C. A., et al. (2017).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5881688/Lim, C.-Y., et al. (2020). Terminal lucidity in the teaching hospital setting [Abstract].https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2018.1541943?scroll=top&needAccess=trueNahm, M., et al. (2012). Terminal lucidity: A review and a case collection [Abstract].https://read.qxmd.com/read/21764150/terminal-lucidity-a-review-and-a-case-collectionPeterson, A., et al. (2022). What is paradoxical lucidity? The answer begins with its definition.https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/alz.12424What is dementia? (n.d.).https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementiaWhat is dementia? (2019).https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.htmlWhat is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. (2021).https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-is-dementiaFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nancy Hammond, M.D. — By Caitlin Geng on August 30, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageIs dementia reversible? The term dementia refers to conditions that affect remembering, thinking, and behavior. 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