Definition

Lewy body disease is a type of dementia. Dementia is the progressive loss of memory and various other mental functions, including the ability to learn, reason, and judge.

Causes

Lewy body disease is associated with the build up of Lewy bodies in regions of the brain. These are abnormal protein deposits inside cells that play a role in certain aspects of memory, visual processing, and and motor control. It is not clear exactly what causes the build up of Lewy bodies in the brain.

Risk Factors

Lewy body disease is more common in men, and in people over 50 years old. It is also more common in people with a family history of Lewy body disease, Parkinson’s disease, or other dementias.

The disease is linked to:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple system atrophy
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Other disorders

Symptoms

Lewy body disease is characterized by:

• Fluctuations in alertness and attention—frequent drowsiness, lethargy, staring into space, disorganized speech, and insomnia
• Recurrent visual hallucinations
• Poor regulation of body temperature and blood pressure
• Obsessive compulsive behaviors
• Forgetfulness
• Parkinsonian motor symptoms, such as rigidity or loss of spontaneous movement
• REM sleep behavior disorder

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. A doctor can do tests to narrow the cause of dementia. Other tests may include:

• Memory, language, and other cognitive tests
• Neuropsychological tests
• Patient and family interviews
• Imaging tests take pictures of internal bodily structures. This can be done with:
  • MRI scan
  • CT scan
  • PET/CT scan
• Blood tests

The only way to confirm Lewy body disease is through an autopsy after death.

Treatment

While there is no cure for Lewy body disease, there are treatments that can control the symptoms. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include:

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent Lewy body disease.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Canadian Stroke Network http://www.canadianstrokenetwork.ca

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