# Definition and Caregiver Appraisal of Paradoxical Lucidity in Dementia

> **NIH NIH R33** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2022 · $406,864

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are typically thought of in terms of progressive cognitive decline,
and relatively little is known about episodes of lucidity that occur among people with dementia. Paradoxical
lucidity is defined as spontaneous, relevant communication or connectedness in a person with dementia. Few
studies have focused on paradoxical lucid episodes, and little is known about what may cause paradoxical
lucidity, how common lucid events are, and how lucidity impacts family caregivers of persons with dementia.
The broad goal of this study is to define paradoxical lucidity, determine the prevalence and predictors of
paradoxical lucidity, and assess the impact that lucidity has on family caregivers. Our proposal will establish a
definition of paradoxical lucidity based on survey data and interviews with caregivers, as well as input from a
panel of clinical experts in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Next, we will administer an online
survey to 8,000 dementia caregivers across three time periods (baseline, 6-months, and 12-months) to
measure how frequently paradoxical lucidity occurs across time. We will analyze survey data to establish what
may predict paradoxical lucidity and how paradoxical lucidity is linked to caregiver well-being. The results of
this work will help inform clinical practice, build capacity for Alzheimer’s Disease education and advocacy, and
build knowledge on an understudied aspect of dementia.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10683504
- **Project number:** 4R33AG069767-03
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** JOAN M. GRIFFIN
- **Activity code:** R33 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $406,864
- **Award type:** 4N
- **Project period:** 2020-09-30 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10683504

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10683504, Definition and Caregiver Appraisal of Paradoxical Lucidity in Dementia (4R33AG069767-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10683504. Licensed CC0.

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