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HomeTopics...Dementia CausesLewy Body Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)Lewy body dementia is a neuro-degenerative disease characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies—abnormal proteins—in certain regions of the brain. LBD has no cure.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of progressive dementia, after Alzheimer's disease. LBD has certain features in common with other dementia-related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Other names for Lewy body dementia (LBD) include:
Lewy BodiesLBD is caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain called Lewy bodies. These proteins cause brain cell loss and brain atrophy, resulting in dementia.
Lewy bodies contain the protein alpha-synuclein, which is also associated with Parkinson's disease.
Regions of the Brain Affected by LBDWith LBD, dementia affects the frontal lobes and the region of the brain that controls speech, thought, expression, reason, organization, planning and calculation, coordination and movement. The frontal lobes are also affected in similar dementia-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
Symptoms of Lewy Body DementiaApart from hallucinations, the symptoms of LBD bear a distinct resemblance to the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (bradykinesia, tremor and rigidity) and Alzheimer's disease (memory loss, confusion, sleep disorders, cognitive impairment and fluctuation).
The four main symptoms of LBD are:
High Risks Groups for Lewy Body DementiaLBD most commonly affects the 65 plus age group, although onset may also occur in young adults. Also, males are at a slightly increased risk compared with females.
Diagnosis of LBDNo single test exists for diagnosing Lewy body dementia. The diagnosis of LBD is largely symptom-based; it also entails a process of elimination to exclude other similar types of dementia.
Medical diagnosis involves examining the patient for the presence of the four main symptoms (memory loss, hallucinations, slowness and fluctuation). The doctor will also take a detailed history. Memory tests, blood tests and an EEG brain scan may also be performed. Prognosis for Lewy Body DementiaThe prognosis for LBD can be highly variable, but the average life expectancy following diagnosis is currently between five and seven years.
Treatment Options for LBDAs no cure is currently available for the disease, treatments and therapies for Lewy body dementia are entirely targeted at symptom control.
Certain drugs prescribed for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are also used to manage symptoms such as rigidity. Other palliative drugs for LBD include Aricept® (donepezil HCl), Exelon® (rivastigimine tartrate) and Reminyl® (galantamine HBr). Antidepressants are sometimes prescribed for LBD patients also suffering from depression.
Future ResearchLewy body dementia is a continually evolving and exciting area of research, with studies aimed at gaining a better understanding of the structure and formation of Lewy bodies. Findings to date are encouraging, bringing a cure for LBD ever closer.
Resources
Ballard, C.G. (2004). Definition and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 17 (Suppl. 1), 15-24. Beers, M.H. & Berkow, R. (ed). Dementia. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th Edition. Merck Research Laboratories, NJ, 1999. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. (2005). NINDS dementia with Lewy bodies information page. |
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