Lewy Body Dementia
Description
A disorder that causes dementia. Dementia is a loss of normal brain function that affects daily activities. Lewy Body dementia is the second most common cause of dementia second only to Alzheimer's. This disorder has features of both Alzheimer's such as cognitive deficiencies, and Parkinson's such as movement problems which can make confirming the diagnosis difficult early in the patient's course. Some patients develop the memory problems first while others suffer the Parkinson symptoms first. Most patients also demonstrate hallucinations, difficulties sleeping and troubles with behavior. The disease name originates from the characteristic microscopic Lewy bodies found in the brain at autopsy.
Symptoms
Seeing colors, shapes, people and animals that do not exist. Memory problems, confusion, short attention span, shuffling gait, rigid muscles, tremors, delusions, problems sleeping, falling asleep during the day, and disorganized speech.
Tests
A history and physical exam will be done. The diagnosis is made by evaluating the patients symptoms. The Lewy bodies found at autopsy cannot be seen with a CT scan or MRI although these tests are frequently performed to rule out other causes of the symptoms.
- CT Scan
- MRI
Treatment
There are no treatments that decrease the degree of memory and movement problems. Therapy is aimed at reducing the symptoms by prescribing medications and improving the environment to reduce the frequency and effects of the symptoms. Environmental changes include reducing clutter and distractions, and simplifying tasks of the patient. Medications are used to improve thinking, treat agitation, decrease hallucinations, and alleviate depression. One third to one half of patients treated with antipsychotic medications will have serious and sometimes irreversible side effects.
Related Videos
Share Your Experience
Do you have experience with this disease? Do you or someone
you know suffer from Lewy Body dementia?
Please share you experience with other members of the iTriage community.