Lewy body dementia

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Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia (LBD), also known as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. Pronounced as "loo-ee", the term "Lewy body" is named after the German neurologist, Dr. Friedrich H. Lewy, who first discovered these protein deposits in the early 20th century.

Etymology

The term "Lewy body" is derived from the name of Dr. Friedrich H. Lewy, who first identified these protein deposits in the brain during the 1910s. The term "dementia" is derived from Latin, meaning "madness", which is itself derived from "de-" ("without") and "mentis" ("mind").

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of Lewy body dementia include:

  • Cognitive changes
  • Visual hallucinations
  • Parkinson's symptoms
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Behavioral and mood symptoms
  • Autonomic dysfunction

Causes

Lewy body dementia is caused by the buildup of Lewy bodies - protein deposits in the brain that are also associated with Parkinson's disease. The exact cause of this buildup is unknown.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Lewy body dementia involves a thorough medical history, physical and neurological exams, mental status tests and brain imaging.

Treatment

While there is no cure for Lewy body dementia, some symptoms can be managed with medication or other treatments, including cholinesterase inhibitors, Parkinson's disease drugs, medications to treat other symptoms, and lifestyle changes.

Prognosis

The progression of symptoms in people with Lewy body dementia is often more rapid than with Alzheimer's disease. However, the lifespan of people with Lewy body dementia varies greatly from person to person.

See Also

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