What is lewy bodies dementia?

A Type of Dementia: Lewy body dementia (dlb) is a type of dementia where clumps of proteins, called lewy bodies, develop in the brain. It is similar to both alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The core symptoms are fluctuating cognition, recurrent visual hallucinations, and motor features of Parkinson's disease such as tremors, muscle rigidity, and shuffling gait. Rapid onset and rapid progress are not uncommon.

Less common dementia: Lbd is either the 2nd or 3rd most common cause of dementia(others are ad and vascular dementia). It is characterized by some features of parkinsons disease, but also includes varying cognition, falls and often vivid visual hallucinations(childrenin the closet a common one). Rarely tremor is present. It is often more rapidly progressive and associated with more behavioral problems.

Lewy body dementia: Is one type of dementia characterized by visual hallucinations, fluctuations in alertness and attention and muscle rigidity and tremor. The cause is as yet unknown.

Lewy body dementia: Second most common cause of dementia after alzheimer's dementia. The is accumulation of abnormal round structures (lewy bodies) in areas of brain responsible for thinking & movements, hence the symptoms my colleague mentioned.

Clinical Features: Neurodegenerative, progressive d/o with  milder physical parkinsonism than parkinson's disease typically. (slowed movements, stiff/rigid muscles & posture, possibly resting tremor). But with early dementia, often with associated psychosis (visual hallucinations/delusional thoughts, excessive sleepiness, depression, anxiety, apathy, & rbd=rem behavior d/o, causing acting-out of dreams in rem sleep.

Second most common: The first symptoms often are visual hallucinations or delusions (fixed false beliefs). At some point there are some motor symptoms similsr to parkinson's disease. There is waxing and waning of symptoms on a daily basis. Falls are common and may be the first symptom noted. Mental rigidity can be a real problem. It is thought to be an illness related to Parkinson's Disease.

See below: Lewy bodies are accumulated bits of alpha-synuclein protein. They accumulate inside the nuclei of neurons. The areas of the brain where these proteins accumulate will be affected and in turn will affect aspects of functioning that this part of the brain control, either memory or motor control, or both. . More info: http://www.Alzinfo.Org/07/about-alzheimers/other-forms-of-dementia#dlb.

Pathological Cause: Lewy body inclusions kill cortical neurons leading to dementia. It featuresmilder physical symptoms than parkinson's disease typically. (slowed movement, stiff/rigid muscles & posture, possibly resting tremor). But early dementia, often with associated psychosis (visual hallucinations), excessive sleepiness, depression, anxiety, apathy, & rbd = rem behavior d/o (acting-out of dreams in rem sleep).

Good Rx available!!!: Dopamine meds for physical parkinsonism: Azilect (mao-b selective inhibitor) & sinemet +/- Comtan (stalevo (carbidopa and levodopa and entacapone) is both together). Tailor rx watching for side effects. Avoid Dopamine agonists (requip xl/mirapex er/neupro)--too side effect prone for lewy body patients. For dementia: namenda, paired with Exelon patch or aricept. For psychosis: seroquel or even clozaril. For excess sleepiness: nuvigil.