Lucidity in Dementia: Emerging Concepts and Data

Chair(s)

• AG

  Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN

  Associate Professor
  Nursing
  University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Discussant(s)

• BE

  Basil Eldadah, MD, PhD

  Chief, Geriatrics Branch
  Division of Geriatrics and Clinical Gerontology (DGCG)
  National Institute on Aging
  Bethesda, Maryland, United States

  Slides

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• 

  Kyungmin Kim, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Child Development and Family Studies
  Seoul National University
  Seoul, Seoul-t'ukpyolsi, Republic of Korea
• JT

  Jeanne Teresi, EdD, PhD

  Co-Director
  Research Division
  Columbia University Stroud Center
  New York, New York, United States
• 

  Andrew Peterson, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Philosophy
  George Mason University
  Fairfax, Virginia, United States
• AG

  Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN

  Associate Professor
  Nursing
  University of Wisconsin-Madison
  Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Episodes of lucidity among people with advanced Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), reportedly evidenced by an unexpected return of meaningful communication or connection, are an area of growing interest. Event transient recovery of abilities in the setting of advanced AD/ADRD are potentially significant for caregivers and the person living with dementia; as well as for shaping our understanding of AD/ADRD more broadly. Despite the potential significance of these events, existing evidence is largely comprised of anecdotal reports and retrospective/case reports. Recently, the National Institute on Aging funded six studies to advance empiric studies on episodes of lucidity in advanced AD/ADRD. This symposium will provide an update on progress and findings across these funded studies. The first presentation focuses on acceptability and feasibility of a prospective observation study focused on characterizing potential observable indicators of episodes of lucidity in individuals with advanced AD/ADRD near end of life encompassing audiovisual observation, informant field interviews and case reviews. The second presentation will provide an overview of a 3-phase mixed methods study focused on development of preliminary types of lucid episodes. Collectively, presentations demonstrate a variety of approaches to investigating episodes of lucidity and shed light on emergent methods for operationalizing these events. Implications of various conceptualizations for EL and conceptual decisions across studies will be reviewed.

Presentations:

• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Feasibility of a Longitudinal Audiovisual Observation Protocol to Characterize Lucidity in Advanced AD/ADRD
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Andrea L. Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN – University of Wisconsin-Madison
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  A Methodological Approach to Identify Episodes of Lucidity Among People with Alzheimer's Disease
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Kyungmin Kim, PhD – Seoul National University
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Application of Qualitative Methods in the Development of an Informant-Reported Measure of Lucidity
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jeanne A. Teresi, EdD, PhD – Columbia University Stroud Center
• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM ET

  Approaches to Investigating Lucidity in ADRD: A Preliminary Research Framework to Guide Operational Harmonization
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Andrea L. Gilmore-Bykovskyi, PhD, RN – University of Wisconsin-Madison