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The physiological and psychological underpinnings of near-death experiences (NDEs) are not yet understood. In this article, we show that for "critical" NDEs reported after cardiac arrest, two different neurophysiological models have been proposed that, in the literature so far, have not been adequately distinguished from each other. In the real-time model, it is postulated that during critical NDEs, residual activities in the cerebrum were sufficient to generate NDEs in real time. In the reconstruction model, it is assumed that due to severe oxygen deficiency, critical NDEs could not have occurred at the time in question but were reconstructed later during the regeneration phase of the brain. To assess the plausibility of these two models, we analyzed the phenomenology of the view of one's own body from above (autoscopy) that frequently occurs in the beginning of NDEs. In addition to the available literature, we used original descriptions of autoscopies obtained in an online survey conducted in 2015. We found that the reconstruction model is not supported by empirical findings and that some findings even speak against it. We therefore conclude that future discussions of explanatory models of NDEs should focus primarily on the neurophysiological real-time model and a third alternative according to which autoscopies and NDEs occur in relative independence from the prevailing neurophysiological processes in the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unexpected cognitive lucidity and communication in patients with severe dementias, especially around the time of death, have been observed and reported anecdotally. Here, we review what is known about this phenomenon, related phenomena that provide insight into potential mechanisms, ethical implications, and methodologic considerations for systematic investigation. We conclude that paradoxical lucidity, if systematically confirmed, challenges current assumptions and highlights the possibility of network‐level return of cognitive function in cases of severe dementias, which can provide insight into both underlying neurobiology and future therapeutic possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the dying and afterlife concepts as described in "The Tibetan Book of the Dead," and associated doctrine. As stated, the dying process starts with the loss of the bodily senses in a defined sequence which is different from the sequence described in the contemporary literature. It states that there is a contradiction in stating that the postmortem bardo state is an entirely subjective production of the deceased.

In recent decades, the Tibetan Book of the Dead (TBD) has attracted' much attention from Westerners interested in Eastern spirituality and has been discussed in the literature on dying and near-death experiences- However, the history of the TBD has practically been ignored in that literature up to now. This history has been elaborated in detail by Tibetologist Bryan Cuevas (2003). To bring this history to the attention of scholars in the field of near-death studies, I present in this paper a summary of the TBD's development based primarily on the work of Cuevas (2003). The summary shows that the TBD was gradually elaborated within a specific Tibetan Buddhist context, the Dzokchen tradition. In comparing features of first-hand reports of the death and dying process as reported in the TBD with those reported in four other categories-Tibetan ddlok, near-death experiencers, mediums, and children who remember previous lives- I find that some features are consistent but that other key features are not. Be- cause it seems likely that inconsistent features of the TBD reflect idiosyncratic dying and afterlife concepts of the Dzokchen tradition, scholars in the field of near-death studies and others should be careful about adopting the contents of the TBD without question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among other authors, Joel Ibrahim Kreps (2009) has recently published accounts of Muslim near-death experiences (NDEs). With the present paper, we aim to contribute to the growing number of non-Western NDE reports by providing summaries of eight additional Muslim NDEs, seven translated from the original Italian source (Giovetti, 2007) and one from an English source (Lerma, 2009), and to provide references for further reading. In addition, we highlight noteworthy features of these eight summarized NDE accounts. Although the documentation standard of the available cases is generally low, these accounts indicate that the structure and contents of NDEs from many non-Western Muslim communities are largely similar to those reported in the Western NDE literature. In his report, Kreps concluded that Muslim NDEs are rare and that Muslims have fewer NDEs than do non-Muslim Westerners and non-Muslim non-Westerners such as the Chinese. However, we found that the number of Muslim NDE accounts available today seems to indicate that Muslim NDEs are not as rare as Kreps concluded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swiss geologist Albert Heim is well known for his pioneering contributions to several aspects of geology, and for his role in establishing the breeding of different kinds of Swiss mountain dogs. In the field of near-death research, it is also recognized that he performed a pioneering study into near-death states of falling mountaineers. It seems hardly known, however, that Heim also influenced suggestion therapy significantly-in particular, the treatment of warts by suggestion. This article provides an overview of Heim's contribution in the latter field of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature concerned with experiences of the dying contains numerous accounts reporting the sudden return of mental clarity shortly before death. These experiences can be described as Terminal Lucidity (TL). The most peculiar cases concern patients suffering from mental disability including mental illness or dementia. Despite the potential relevance of TL for developing new forms of therapies and for elaborating an improved understanding of the nature of human consciousness, very little has been published on this subject. In this paper I present a historical overview and selected case reports of TL of mentally ill or otherwise disabled patients, mainly drawing on the literature available in English and in German. Possible explanatory models of TL and their implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I present four apparent near-death experiences (NDEs) reported in Roman times. Despite their uncertain reliability, they contain features deserving attention. Three reports involve taking the wrong person to the realm of death by mistake ("mistake cases"), and even include the claim that the correct person had died after the NDEr revived ("correction cases"). Though common in Asia, such cases are absent in contemporary Western NDE reports. The fourth report contains an alleged correct future prediction and xenoglossy, the latter being a novum to NDE research. After introducing the four cases, I discuss their peculiar features and some related aspects of near-death states with a focus on their relevance for future NDE research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Due to its wide European distribution and its drought-susceptibility, beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) received intensive attention recently in the light of global warming. Contrary to central European beech ecosystems, little is known about the ecophysiology of beech at its south-eastern European distribution limit. Here we tested whether climatic fluctuations during a three-year period affected the ecophysiology of a beech site in Greece. Attention was paid at comparing our findings to the intense effects the 2003 extreme drought had on beech forests in central Europe. We assessed the interannual and seasonal variation of certain physiological parameters in a beech stand of north-western Greece during three consecutive growing seasons of the period 2003–2005. Leaf water potential and effective quantum yield of PSII were measured as well-known indicators of plant''s responses to environmental stresses. Furthermore, plant carbon isotopic composition (δ13C) of tissues and extracts with different turnover times was determined, since it can reveal short- or long-term environmental effects on the water and carbon balance of the plant. Moreover, a number of micrometeorological parameters were measured and their effect on ecophysiological responses was tested. Precipitation of 2003 at the study site was comparable to that in central Europe, but it did not differ from the local range of precipitation in NW-Greece. Still, 2003 was more xeric, compared to 2004 and 2005. Despite this, leaf water potential, effective quantum yield and δ18O showed no significant variation between years and their values were not indicative of plants suffering from drought stress. Foliar δ13C, on the other hand, appeared to be more sensitive to the climatic differences between the years and it was higher during the more xeric 2003 compared to later on. Regression analysis revealed that its response was largely controlled by current soil water content and vapour pressure deficit of the preceding month. Regarding δ13C of phloem from both twigs and trunk, their patterns were influenced only by short-term changes in air vapour pressure deficit. Within the climatic range recorded in this study, which is typical for beech ecosystems in Greece, no substantial drought-driven limitations were observed on beech ecophysiology. Our observations contradict those from central European beech sites, rarely subjected to drought, where similarly low water availability had a great impact on the ecophysiology of beech. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]