The Death of Anna Katharina Ehmer: A Case Study in Terminal Lucidity

Abstract

Terminal lucidity, the unexpected return of mental clarity and memory shortly before the death of patients suffering from severe psychiatric and neurologic disorders, has raised the curiosity of numerous physicians and laypersons in the past. However, this peculiar phenomenon has received little attention in the recent decades. In previous publications, we have presented overviews of cases of terminal lucidity in various neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In this article, we highlight terminal lucidity in persons with mental disabilities, and focus on one of the most remarkable cases that have been reported. We provide biographical background information about the two principal witnesses who reported this case. It concerns the death of Anna Katharina Ehmer, a 26-year-old woman with severe mental disabilities who lived in an institution for people with mental disorders, and who had allegedly never spoken a single word during her life. Yet, she was reported to have sung dying songs for a half hour before she died. The case was reported by the head of this institution and by its chief physician. We consider it difficult to evaluate the authenticity of the case definitively in retrospect. Nevertheless, there are similar cases and a variety of other anomalous brain-related findings we consider worth investigating. Studies into such anomalous cases might improve our concepts of human brain functioning and of mental processing in persons with mental disabilities, and might be of special value for the dying, the bereaved, and caretakers.

Review paper. Terminal lucidity

“…Yet, "in the elation of the last hours", he was able to speak comprehensively for the first time in his life." [13,14] The last case that will be cited is the case of Anna Katharina Ehmer, known in literature also as Käthe [17,18].…”

Of love and light: A case report of end-of-life experiences.

“…In these types of experiences, people who have suffered from severe cognitive deficits, such as psychiatric or neurological disorders including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or chronic schizophrenia, or other chronic conditions such as brain tumors, meningitis, or strokes, appear to have a sudden and unexpected return of mental clarity just prior to death (Nahm & Greyson, 2013). The dying individual who may not have communicated in a clear way for many years may suddenly hold a very lucid, rational, and comprehensible conversation; make comments indicating their awareness of events or circumstances others may not have considered them capable of perceiving (Brayne et al, 2008;Nahm, 2009); or sing songs and talk, even if they reportedly had never done so before due to conditions such as severe lifelong mental disability, as in the case of Anna Katharina Ehmer (Nahm & Greyson, 2013). Instances of terminal lucidity may occur in the minutes, hours, or days preceding death (Nahm, Greyson, Kelly, & Haraldsson, 2012).…”

“…Instances of terminal lucidity may occur in the minutes, hours, or days preceding death (Nahm, Greyson, Kelly, & Haraldsson, 2012). No known researcher has investigated the incidence of terminal lucidity, although Nahm and Greyson (2013) identified 83 cases in the literature from the past 250 years, and Fenwick ( 2013) suggested an incidence rate of approximately 6%.…”

Terminal lucidity: mysteries at the end of life

“…However, the term is not universally known or used by many people who might have observed the phenomenon (Pearson, 2018). It is likely that the phenomenon has been known in many cultures from ancient eras, but investigations using modern scientific approaches are still limited.Among terminal lucidity cases, the (probably) most fascinating one is the case of Anna Katharina Ehmer (Nahm & Greyson, 2014). According to the reports, this woman had severe mental disabilities and was considered to be retarded from birth; she never spoke, behaved almost animal-like, and had an extremely low level of normal human perception of her surrounding environments.…”

“…Among terminal lucidity cases, the (probably) most fascinating one is the case of Anna Katharina Ehmer (Nahm & Greyson, 2014). According to the reports, this woman had severe mental disabilities and was considered to be retarded from birth; she never spoke, behaved almost animal-like, and had an extremely low level of normal human perception of her surrounding environments.…”