Overview

Lewy body dementia, also known as dementia with Lewy bodies, is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease dementia. Protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in nerve cells in the brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement (motor control).

Lewy body dementia causes a progressive decline in mental abilities. People with Lewy body dementia may experience visual hallucinations, and changes in alertness and attention. Other effects include Parkinson's disease-like symptoms such as rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors.

Lewy body dementia care at Mayo Clinic

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Symptoms

Lewy body dementia signs and symptoms may include:

• Visual hallucinations. Hallucinations may be one of the first symptoms, and they often recur. They may include seeing shapes, animals or people that aren't there. Sound (auditory), smell (olfactory) or touch (tactile) hallucinations are possible.
• Movement disorders. Signs of Parkinson's disease (parkinsonian symptoms), such as slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremor or a shuffling walk may occur.
• Poor regulation of body functions (autonomic nervous system). Blood pressure, pulse, sweating and the digestive process are regulated by a part of the nervous system that is often affected by Lewy body dementia. This can result in dizziness, falls and bowel issues such as constipation.
• Cognitive problems. You may experience thinking (cognitive) problems similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, such as confusion, poor attention, visual-spatial problems and memory loss.
• Sleep difficulties. You may have rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, which can cause you to physically act out your dreams while you're asleep.
• Fluctuating attention. Episodes of drowsiness, long periods of staring into space, long naps during the day or disorganized speech are possible.
• Depression. You may experience depression sometime during the course of your illness.
• Apathy. You may have loss of motivation.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Causes

Lewy body dementia is characterized by the abnormal buildup of proteins into deposits known as Lewy bodies. This protein is also associated with Parkinson's disease. People who have Lewy bodies in their brains often have the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Diagnosis

A progressive decline in your ability to think is required to diagnose Lewy body dementia.

In addition, two of the following core symptoms must be present:

• Fluctuating and unpredictable alertness and thinking (cognitive) function
• Repeated visual hallucinations
• Parkinsonian symptoms
• REM sleep behavior disorder, in which people act out their dreams during sleep

In addition to the core symptoms of Lewy body dementia, tests for certain biomarkers can further support a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Biomarkers are substances in the blood that indicate the presence of a disease, such as Lewy body dementia.

Right now there are no biomarkers to definitively diagnose Lewy body dementia, but some biomarkers support it. Biomarkers alone, without symptoms, aren't enough for a diagnosis. Biomarker tests to support Lewy body dementia diagnosis include:

• Nuclear imaging tests such as single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET)
• Tests that measure check nerve function of the heart's blood vessels (iodine-MIBG myocardial scintigraphy)
• Sleep studies that examine brain wave activity

Your doctor may also diagnose Lewy body dementia based on the presence of one core symptom and one or more of these biomarkers that support the diagnosis:

• Autonomic dysfunction, which involves instability in blood pressure and heart rate, poor regulation of body temperature, sweating, and related symptoms
• Feeling excessively sleepy during the daytime
• Loss of the sense of smell

There are several combinations of symptoms, features and biomarkers that help doctors diagnose Lewy body dementia. Depending on the combination, the diagnosis may be considered probable or possible.

Doctors may also try to rule out other conditions that may cause similar signs and symptoms to support a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Tests may include:

Neurological and physical examination

Your doctor may check for signs of Parkinson's disease, strokes, tumors or other medical conditions that can affect the brain and physical function. The neurological examination may test:

• Reflexes
• Strength
• Walking
• Muscle tone
• Eye movements
• Balance
• Sense of touch

Assessment of mental abilities

A short form of this test, which assesses your memory and thinking skills, can be done in less than 10 minutes in your doctor's office. It's not generally useful in distinguishing Lewy body dementia from Alzheimer's disease but can indicate dementia. Longer tests can take several hours, but help identify Lewy body dementia.

Your doctor will compare your test results with those of people from a similar age and education level. This can help distinguish normal from abnormal cognitive aging, and may help diagnose the condition.

Blood tests

These can rule out physical problems that can affect brain function, such as vitamin B-12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid gland.

Brain scans

Your doctor may order an MRI, PET or CT scan to identify a stroke or bleeding, and to rule out the possibility of a tumor. While dementias are diagnosed based on the history and physical examination, certain features on imaging studies can suggest different types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's or Lewy body dementia.

Your doctor may order a sleep evaluation to check for REM sleep behavior disorder or an autonomic function test to look for signs of heart rate and blood pressure instability.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Complications

Lewy body dementia is progressive. Signs and symptoms worsen, causing:

• Severe dementia
• Aggressive behavior
• Depression
• Increased risk of falling and injury
• Worsening of parkinsonian symptoms, such as tremors
• Death, on average about eight years after symptoms start

Alternative medicine

Frustration and anxiety can worsen dementia symptoms. These techniques may help promote relaxation:

• Music therapy, which involves listening to soothing music
• Pet therapy, which involves the use of animals to improve moods and behaviors in dementia patients
• Aromatherapy, which uses fragrant plant oils
• Massage therapy

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Lifestyle and home remedies

Symptoms and progression are different for everyone with Lewy body dementia. Caregivers may need to adapt the following tips to individual situations:

• Speak clearly and simply. Maintain eye contact and speak slowly, in simple sentences, and don't rush the response. Present only one idea or instruction at a time. Use gestures and cues, such as pointing to objects.
• Encourage exercise. Benefits of exercise include improvements in physical function, behavior and depression symptoms. Some research shows exercise may slow cognitive decline in people with dementia.
• Provide mind stimulation. Participating in games, crossword puzzles and other activities that involve using thinking skills may help slow mental decline in people with dementia.
• Establish a nighttime ritual. Behavior issues may worsen at night. Create calming bedtime rituals without the distraction of television, meal cleanup and active family members. Leave night lights on to prevent disorientation.

Limiting caffeine during the day, discouraging daytime napping and offering opportunities for daytime exercise may help prevent nighttime restlessness.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Coping and support

People with Lewy body dementia often experience a mixture of emotions, such as confusion, frustration, anger, fear, uncertainty, grief and depression.

Offer support by listening, reassuring the person that he or she still can enjoy life, being positive, and doing your best to help the person retain dignity and self-respect.

If you're a caregiver for someone with Lewy body dementia, watch the person closely to make sure he or she doesn't fall, lose consciousness or react negatively to medications. Provide reassurance during times of confusion, delusions or hallucinations.

Looking after yourself

The physical and emotional demands of caregiving can be exhausting. You may experience anger, guilt, frustration, discouragement, worry, grief or social isolation. Help prevent caregiver burnout by:

• Asking friends or other family members for help when you need it. Consider in-home health services to help you care for the person with Lewy body dementia.
• Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet.
• Learning as much about the disease as you can. Ask questions of doctors, social workers and others on the care team.
• Joining a support group.

Many people with Lewy body dementia and their families can benefit from counseling or local support groups. Contact your local agencies on health or aging to get connected with support groups, doctors, resources, referrals, home care agencies, supervised living facilities, a telephone help line and educational seminars.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com

Risk factors

A few factors seem to increase the risk of developing Lewy body dementia, including:

• Being older than 60
• Being male
• Having a family member with Lewy body dementia or Parkinson's disease

Research has indicated that depression is also associated with Lewy body dementia.

Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com