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Mysterious moments of clarity in severe dementia under scientific scrutiny
NCT ID NCT05234866
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 10, 2026
Summary
This study investigates paradoxical lucidity—brief, unexpected episodes of mental clarity—in people with end-stage dementia. Researchers will use caregiver diaries and video EEG monitoring to capture and analyze these rare events. The goal is to create a standard definition and measurement scale for paradoxical lucidity, and to identify brain activity patterns that may accompany it. The study involves 520 participants in hospice care with advanced dementia.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help define and measure paradoxical lucidity, potentially leading to better understanding and care for people with advanced dementia.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early observational study, so it may not lead to any treatment. The episodes are rare and brief, and the research is exploratory.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 520 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2022
- Expected to finish
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May 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
1. Adults over 18 years of age diagnosed with advanced dementia 2. Hospice workers, geriatric, palliative care physicians and other healthcare providers 3. Family, friends and caregivers
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age \> 18 years * Advanced (severe) dementia diagnosed using the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) with a score of 7 or the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) with a score of less than 30% * Accepted for hospice care based on the Medicare eligibility guidelines * No longer being provided with nutrition or fluids * Anuria (dry diaper) or less than 200cc urine (almost dry diaper) in any 24-hour period Exclusion Criteria: * Cognitive or functional impairment due to a diagnosis other than dementia * Dementia with a GDS score \<7 (mild, moderate, moderately severe dementia). Please refer to rationale outlined for inclusion criteria 2.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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NYU Langone Health
RECRUITINGNew York, New York, 10016, United States
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