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Lewy Body
Introduction
Treatment
Prognosis
Research
Organizations |
Dementia
With Lewy Bodies?
Introduction
- What is
Dementia With Lewy Bodies?
Dementia
with Lewy bodies, the second most frequent cause of dementia in elderly adults,
is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with abnormal structures (Lewy
bodies) found in certain areas of the brain. Because these structures and many
of the symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies are associated with Parkinson's and
Alzheimer's diseases, researchers do not yet understand whether dementia with
Lewy bodies is a distinct clinical entity or perhaps a variant of Alzheimer's or
Parkinson's disease. Symptoms can range from traditional parkinsonian effects,
such as loss of spontaneous movement (bradykinesia), rigidity (muscles feel
stiff and resist movement), tremor, and shuffling gait, to effects similar to
those of Alzheimer's disease, such as acute confusion, loss of memory, and loss
of, or fluctuating, cognition. Visual hallucinations may be one of the first
symptoms noted, and patients may suffer from other psychiatric disturbances such
as delusions and depression. Onset of the disorder usually occurs in older
adults, although younger people can be affected as well. In 1996 scientists
published guidelines for the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (McKeith IG,
et al, Neurology, vol 47, pp 1113-1114, Nov 1996).
Is
there any treatment?
Scientists continue to search for a specific course of
therapy for people with dementia with Lewy bodies. Treatment is symptomatic,
often involving the use of medication to control the parkinsonian and
psychiatric symptoms. However, patients should be aware that antiparkinsonian
medication that may help to reduce tremor and loss of muscle movement may
actually worsen such symptoms as hallucinations and delusions. Similarly,
neuroleptic drugs prescribed for psychiatric symptoms may in fact markedly
worsen the movement symptoms. In general atypical antipsychotic medications are
more successful than older drugs such as haloperidol.
What
is the prognosis?
Dementia with Lewy bodies is a slowly progressive
condition for which there is no cure.
What research
is being done?
NINDS conducts and supports research on dementing
disorders, including dementia with Lewy bodies, to learn more about diagnosis,
treatment, and prevention. Research efforts also include basic investigations of
Lewy bodies, in an effort to understand the biological consequences of Lewy body
formation and the mechanisms of disease progression. Knowledge gained by such
basic research provides the necessary foundation for future clinical research.
This
information is available courtesy of the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke. It is in the public domain and can be downloaded, reproduced,
or copied without permission. For more information go to
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorder_index.htm
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