Lewy Body Dementia
(Other names for Lewy Body Dementia include: Diffuse Lewy body Disease, Cortical Lewy Body Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies)
Lewy body Dementia is a form of progressive dementia identified by abnormal structures that develop in brain cells called “lewy bodies”. These structures are found in various parts of the brain and are made up largely of a protein called alpha synuclein. Why this process begins is unknown. In Lewy Body Dementia, only 10-15% of brain cells (neurons) degenerate, although function in remaining neurons eventually becomes impaired.
Lewy body dementia can occur by itself, or together with Alzheimer or Parkinson’s Disease.
What are the symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia?
Lewy body Dementia is similar to Alzheimer Disease in that there is progressive loss of memory, language, reasoning and other higher mental functions, such as calculation. The person may have difficulty with short-term memory, finding the right word and sustaining a train of thought. An individual may also experience depression and anxiety.
Lewy body Dementia differs from Alzheimer Disease in that the progression of the disease is usually more rapid. Marked fluctuations in confusion can vary from hour to hour or week to week. Visual hallucinations (seeing things which are not real) are common and can be worse during times of increased confusion. The visual hallucinations are often recurrent and typically consist of people, children or animals intruding into the home. People with the disease may also make errors in perception, for example, seeing faces in a carpet pattern. Unlike Alzheimer Disease, memory difficulties may not be present in the early stage of the disease.
Some features of Lewy body Dementia can resemble Parkinson’s Disease. These include: rigidity (stiffness of muscles), tremors (shaking), stooped posture and slow shuffling movements. Sensitivity to medication, especially some sedatives, may exaggerate these symptoms.
Who does Lewy Body Dementia Affect?
Lewy Body Dementia is more common in men than in women.
What do we know about the cause? and is there a cure?
At present, there is no known cause of Lewy Body Dementia and risk factors have not been identified. In rare cases, the disease is passed from generation to generation.
There is also no cure for Lewy Body Dementia, however it is possible to treat symptoms such as depression, and unpleasant hallucinations can be reduced with medication. Parkinson symptoms can also be treated. It is important to note that it can be difficult to manage the multiple symptoms of Lewy body Dementia with Parkinson symptoms, treatment of one symptom may be achieved at the expense of another. Treatment is often individualized for each person focusing on treating the sypmtoms in order of severity.
For more information please contact your local Alzheimer Society office or visit the following websites:
The Alzheimer Society of Canada
www.alzheimer.ca
The Lewy Body Association, Inc
www.lewybodydementia.org
LewyNet
www.nottingham.ac.uk/pathology/lewy/lewyhome.html
The information contained on this website is not intended to replace clincial diagnosis by a health professional.
SOURCE: Research - Related Dementia-Lewy Body Dementia - Alzheimer Society of Canada
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