Dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies
See caption.
Synonyms	Diffuse Lewy body disease, dementia due to Lewy body disease
Pronounce	N/A
Field	Neurology, psychiatry
Symptoms	Dementia, abnormal behavior during REM sleep, fluctuations in alertness, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism
Complications
Onset	After the age of 50, median 76
Duration	Long term
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown
Risks
Diagnosis	Based on symptoms and biomarkers
Differential diagnosis	Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease dementia, certain mental illnesses, vascular dementia
Prevention
Treatment
Medication	Donepezil, rivastigmine and memantine; melatonin
Prognosis	Variable; average survival 4 years from diagnosis
Frequency	About 0.4% of persons older than 65
Deaths

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a type of dementia that is associated with the build-up of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. It is the third most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, accounting for 10-15% of all cases.

Signs and Symptoms

Individuals with DLB may exhibit a range of symptoms, including:

Cognitive impairment Fluctuating attention Recurrent visual hallucinations Parkinsonism DLB frequently presents with significant neuropsychiatric symptoms, including hallucinations and delusions. In some cases, these symptoms may precede the onset of cognitive decline.

Causes

The exact cause of DLB is unknown. The condition is characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, which are abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells, impairing their function.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of DLB is often challenging, as it shares symptoms with several other conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, cognitive testing, and brain scans.

Treatment

There is currently no cure for DLB. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and may include medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors, antipsychotics, and levodopa.

Prognosis

The prognosis for DLB is poor, with a life expectancy of 5-8 years after the onset of symptoms.

Epidemiology

DLB is the third most common cause of dementia, accounting for 10-15% of all cases. The condition most commonly affects individuals between the ages of 50 and 85.

See Also

• Alzheimer's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Vascular dementia

References

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External links

Dementia with Lewy bodies at Curlie

Dementia with Lewy bodies at Curlie

Lewy Body Dementia Association

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