Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of dementia, affecting approximately 1.4 million Americans. It is characterized by abnormal deposits of certain proteins in the brain.
Understanding the Two Types of Lewy Body Dementia
Cognitive decline and hallucinations often appear before or soon after movement symptoms.
- Hallucinations
- Difficulty with thinking and reasoning
- Poor visual and spatial awareness
- Sleep disorders
- Tremors
- Muscle stiffness
- Shuffling walk
- Slow movement
LBD vs. Alzheimer’s: Key Differences
Patient Perspective: Man with Lewy body dementia misdignosed for years
What is Lewy body dementia? Symptoms and causes
Lewy body dementia is characterized by abnormal deposits of certain proteins in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. Visual hallucinations are also a common symptom, and tend to happen early in the progression of the disease.
Interactive Learning Guide: Understanding Lewy body dementia
Click on our interactive guide below to learn more about Lewy body Dementia
Risk factors for Lewy Body Dementia
Age and family history of LBD and Parkinson’s are among the largest risk factors for Lewy body dementia. While it is typically not hereditary, there are certain genetic variants that carry increase risk. People without these genetic variants can also develop LBD.
Lewy Body Dementia: Genetic Risk
The SNCA gene plays a crucial role in the development of Lewy body dementia. SNCA provides instructions for making alpha-synuclein, a protein that can form Lewy bodies in the brain, a hallmark of the disease. Mutations or variations in the SNCA gene can increase the risk of developing dementia with Lewy bodies.
Mutations in the SNCB gene, which codes for beta-synuclein, are linked to dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). SNCB mutations can disrupt beta-synuclein’s function, potentially leading to the accumulation of alpha-synuclein and the formation of Lewy bodies, which are abnormal protein clumps in the brain. This can impair neuron function and cause the cognitive and motor symptoms of DLB.
Common treatments for LBD
Here are some common treatments doctors may prescribe if a patient is diagnosed with LBD.
These medications, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine, help improve thinking and may also reduce hallucinations and other behavioral symptoms.
Depression is common in LBD, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) can be helpful.
May be used for REM sleep behavior disorder, a common symptom in LBD, often in conjunction with melatonin.
FAQs About Lewy Body Dementia
Researchers are unsure of the exact causes of Lewy Body Dementia. However, they believe that having abnormal amounts of Lewy bodies in the brain’s nerve cells leads to common symptoms. Lewy bodies are protein clumps that mainly consist of a protein known as alpha-synuclein. This protein has also been associated with Parkinson’s disease. While researchers have found genes connected to LBD, they still do not know how much genetics or lifestyle factors contribute to the disease.
Lewy bodies often affect parts of the brain related to memory, such as the hippocampus. As a result, Lewy Body Dementia is commonly misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. Nevertheless, some symptoms are distinct. For example, symptoms like memory loss may appear shortly after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. In contrast, those with LBD may not have memory issues until later. Some people can have both LBD and Alzheimer’s.
Those with Lewy Body Dementia often have symptoms that resemble those with Parkinson’s disease. In fact, people with Parkinson’s also have lewy bodies in their brain that affect the brain’s nerve cells. Some patients may have both LBD and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers are still trying to determine exactly how each disease differs from one another.
These symptoms often resemble those found in people with Parkinson’s disease:
- Limited facial expressions
- Stiff muscles or rigidity
- Decreased mobility
- Shuffling instead of walking
- Balance issues
- Tremors
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), LBD may also affect mood, causing the following symptoms:
Apathy
Agitation
Depression
Delusions
Paranoia
People with LBD often experience REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Scientists believe studying this connection may help them better predict who will develop LBD. Those with RBD act out vivid or violent dreams. People may scream, kick or punch while they sleep. Those with LBD may also experience these sleep-related symptoms:
- Trouble falling asleep
- Sleeping for long periods during the day
- Restless legs syndrome
People can either be diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson’s disease dementia. If someone is experiencing symptoms that could be LBD, they should try visiting a neurologist, rather than a general physician, to try and get an accurate diagnosis. While LBD can still only be officially diagnosed by an autopsy, doctors use the following methods to determine if someone may have LBD:
They can look for biomarkers of Lewy Body Dementia, including abnormal proteins, with the following:
- A SPECT or PET scan
- (MIBG) cardiac scintigraphy, which looks at how nerves are functioning in the heart’s blood vessels
- Sleep tests that monitor brain waves
While there is no cure for LBD, some treatments may temporarily alleviate symptoms. For example, those with LBD can work with a speech therapist who can help with issues linked to language or trouble swallowing, or a physical therapist to help with movement issues. Cholinesterase inhibitors may treat symptoms related to cognitive issues. While the medication was developed to help those with Alzheimer’s, the association says research has found the medication may help those with LBD even more. In addition, they suggest a drug called levodopa that’s typically given to Parkinson’s patients may help treat movement problems, though side effects may not be worth taking this medication.
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