This is one of the common causes of dementia that develops among the elderly. This occurs when the abnormal structures known as Lewy bodies accumulate in the brain that results in the associated symptoms. This disease is often difficult to diagnose as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s also present similar symptoms. Lewy body disease commonly develops among individuals between the ages of 50 and 85 and deteriorates with time.
Causes
The exact cause of Lewy body disease is not known and no risk factors have also been identified. The Lewy body disease develops as the result of degeneration and death of the nerve cells of the brain. As the abnormal spherical structures develop inside the nerve cells, they are thought to contribute to the death of the brain cells. The Lewy bodies are also identified in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease dementia. The overlapping symptoms and evidence suggest that Parkinson’s disease and Dementia with Lewy body may be connected to the same abnormalities in how the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein. Research also suggests that depression can be associated with Lewy body dementia.
Symptoms
The symptoms of dementia with Lewy body disease include the problem with concentration and attention, extreme confusion, loss of memory, hallucinations, difficulties with judging distance, difficulties with movement and posture and muscle stiffness. Additional symptoms can include delusions, acting out dreams and malfunctions of the autonomic nervous system. The Lewy body disease differs from Alzheimer’s disease in the way the disease progresses; the Lewy body disease tends to deteriorate more rapidly. Death usually occurs as the result of pneumonia or an infection. It is estimated that the average lifespan of the affected individuals with Lewy body disease is around seven years after the onset of symptoms.
Diagnosis
Like the other forms of dementia, there is no single test that can diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies. The clinical diagnosis is usually made by the physician based on their best professional judgment in relationship to the symptoms evident. The three cardinal symptoms, out of which two must be evident for the diagnosis of Lewy body disease include visual hallucinations, Parkinsonism (tremors and stiffness evident among the Parkinson’s disease patients) and fluctuation in the mental state.
Treatment
There is no cure for Lewy body disease or to slow and stop the progression of the disease. The treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms among each case. The depression or hallucinations can be reduced with medications but the potential side-effects can include muscle tremors and stiffness. The antipsychotic medications should be used with extreme caution as around 50% of the affected cases can present serious side-effects such as changes in consciousness, episodes of delusions, deterioration of Parkinson’s symptoms and impaired swallowing.
References
http://www.alz.org/dementia/dementia-with-lewy-bodies-symptoms.asp#about
https://www.fightdementia.org.au/about-dementia/types-of-dementia/lewy-body-disease
