3d. Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Dementia with Lewy Bodies is another common progressive dementia. Dementia with Lewy Bodies occurs when cells die in the cortex and middle of the brain. The remaining nerve cells contain Lewy bodies.
Use the accordions below to learn more about Dementia with Lewy bodies.
What are Lewy bodies?
- Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of protein that build up in the brain
- Most people diagnosed with Parkinson's disease have Lewy bodies in their brains
What are the symptoms of Dementia with Lewy bodies?
- Loss of memory
- Poor judgment
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Problems with movement and posture
- Trouble staying alert throughout the day
- Fluctuating attention/alertness:
- Can last for hours or days at at time
- The person may stare into space
- They may feel lethargic or drowsy
- It may be hard to understand their speech
- At other times, the person may have much clearer thought
What else do we know about Dementia with Lewy bodies?
- Currently, there is no cure for the disease
- Patients typically live up to 7 years after symptoms begin
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies occurs sporadically, and most patients do not have a family history of the disease
- Lewy bodies are often found in patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease; this suggests a relation between the disorders