{"id":1401,"date":"2018-07-21T14:59:15","date_gmt":"2018-07-21T12:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/uncategorized\/ask-the-md-faqs-on-lewy-body-dementia\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T08:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T06:39:11","slug":"ask-the-md-faqs-on-lewy-body-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/uncategorized\/ask-the-md-faqs-on-lewy-body-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Ask the MD: FAQs on Lewy Body Dementia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted by Rachel Dolhun, MD, November 17, 2015<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>on Foxfeed Blog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"FAQs<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The terms Lewy body dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies are used interchangeably, as are the abbreviations LBD and DLB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.\u00a0<\/b>What is Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a form of dementia, which is a broad term for a disease of memory, thinking and\/or social abilities that is severe enough to interfere with everyday activities. LBD is also a form of Parkinsonism, meaning that it causes some or all of the motor symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s disease (tremor, stiffness, slowness, and walking\/balance problems). Additionally, LBD causes visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren\u2019t there) and unpredictable fluctuations in a person\u2019s level of attention or alertness. Many people will also exhibit changes in mood (such as depression) and alterations in behavior or personality (including agitation or aggression). REM sleep behavior disorder (a condition in which people act out their dreams), fainting spells and low blood pressure can also be associated. Symptoms of LBD may seem to arise in the course of several months or may be more gradual in onset. The symptoms do, unfortunately, worsen and people with LBD will require progressively more assistance over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b>What is the difference between Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lewy body dementia (LBD) and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) are both types of dementia, meaning that they cause problems with memory, thinking and\/or social abilities that are severe enough to interfere with everyday activities. Both of them affect \u201ccognition\u201d or thinking capabilities. In general, AD affects memory more significantly (causing forgetfulness) whereas LBD impacts executive function (planning and processing information) and the ability to understand visual information. LBD also causes some or all of the motor symptoms of Parkinson\u2019s (tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking\/balance problems). People with AD may develop these symptoms too but if so, it\u2019s typically much later in the disease course. Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren\u2019t there) and fluctuating levels of alertness and attention are more characteristic of LBD than AD. While every individual\u2019s course is different, AD usually progresses a bit slower than LBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.\u00a0<\/b>What is the difference between Parkinson\u2019s disease and Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by motor symptoms, including resting tremor, stiffness, slowness, and walking\/balance problems. The diagnosis of PD relies on the presence of slowness plus tremor and\/or stiffness. Many people with PD will experience cognitive (memory or thinking) problems, which can range from mild \u2014 \u201cmild cognitive impairment\u201d \u2014 to severe \u2014 \u201cdementia.\u201d However, not everyone with PD will have memory problems; not everyone with memory problems will have dementia; and not everyone with dementia will be classified as having Lewy body dementia (LBD). Even in people with PD, other types of dementia (Alzheimer\u2019s dementia, vascular dementia \u2014 that due to multiple strokes, etc.) can occur. Lewy body dementia typically causes some or all of the motor symptoms of PD, memory\/thinking problems, visual hallucinations, and fluctuating levels of attention or alertness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4.\u00a0<\/b>I have Parkinson\u2019s disease. Am I more likely to get Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Some studies suggest that having Parkinson\u2019s disease increases your risk of developing Lewy body dementia but having Parkinson\u2019s certainly isn\u2019t a guarantee that you will develop the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a05.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Is there a test to diagnose Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There is no test that can diagnose Lewy body dementia (LBD). Imaging studies (brain PET, SPECT, DaT scans) are being researched to determine if they might be able to accurately diagnose LBD. At the present time, doctors make the diagnosis based on your medical history and their physical examination. Blood work and standard imaging tests (MRI or CT scans) may be done to exclude other medical conditions. Detailed memory testing is sometimes performed to support a doctor\u2019s diagnosis or establish a baseline for comparison to future testing. Movement disorders specialists (the same physicians who treat Parkinson\u2019s) or cognitive specialists (doctors who treat dementia) typically manage LBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.\u00a0<\/b>Are there any treatments for Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There is currently no medication that slows or stops the progression of Lewy body dementia (LBD). However, there are many medications that can help with the symptoms.\u00a0<\/span>\nFor memory and thinking problems, medications called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine), which are also used for Alzheimer\u2019s dementia, are commonly prescribed. These drugs sometimes help control behavior problems and hallucinations as well.\u00a0<\/span>\nThe motor symptoms that are similar to those of Parkinson\u2019s disease (tremor, slowness and stiffness) can be treated with levodopa. Because people with LBD are usually a little more sensitive to the side effects of this medication, doctors use the lowest dosage possible. \u00a0\nIf visual hallucinations are frightening or disturbing, or if delusions (false beliefs) or paranoia occur, medications called atypical antipsychotics (e.g., quetiapine or clozapine) may be prescribed. These are used cautiously in select cases because they can potentially worsen the symptoms of LBD. Medication might be avoided, at least for a while, if hallucinations aren\u2019t severe and a person can be reassured regarding them. A visual examination should also be performed as vision problems (the need for corrective lenses, for example) can trigger or worsen hallucinations.\u00a0<\/span>\nIf REM sleep behavior disorder (a sleep disorder in which a person acts out their dreams) is present, melatonin or clonazepam may be helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.\u00a0<\/b>Is there anything that can be done to prevent Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

No therapies or behavioral changes have been identified that can prevent Lewy body dementia (LBD). However, some strategies have been suggested to help stave off memory problems in general, and since these don\u2019t have side effects and are good for overall well-being and quality of life, they are worth a try. Recommendations include eating a healthy, balanced diet; exercising regularly; interacting with others socially; and doing activities to stimulate memory and thinking (e.g., reading, completing crossword puzzles, playing a musical instrument, etc.). Decreasing stress and getting enough sleep \u2014 easier said than done! \u2014 are also beneficial for everyone, of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8.\u00a0<\/b>Are there genetic risks for Lewy body dementia?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

There are no clear genetic factors that increase one\u2019s risk for Lewy body dementia (LBD). It is worth mentioning, though, that several genetic risk factors do exist that increase risk for Parkinson\u2019s disease, and Parkinson\u2019s may increase risk for LBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9.\u00a0<\/b>Do all people with Parkinson\u2019s have Lewy bodies? Do Lewy bodies always cause dementia? How do you know if you have Lewy bodies?\u00a0<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The vast majority of people with Parkinson\u2019s disease (other than a rare subset with a certain genetic mutation) have Lewy bodies \u2014 clusters of abnormally folded proteins, including alpha-synuclein, which are found in the nerve cells in the brain. Not everyone with Parkinson\u2019s disease who has Lewy bodies gets dementia.\u00a0<\/span>\nThere is no way to know if you have Lewy bodies because the only way we can see them at the current time is to study the brain at autopsy (although some imaging tests are being done in research settings). We are also working on ways to measure alpha-synuclein (which could indirectly tell us about Lewy bodies) with brain imaging and other testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10.\u00a0<\/b>What resources are available for people with Lewy body dementia and their caregivers?<\/b><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Le\u00a0<\/span>Lewy Body Dementia Association<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>has an abundance of educational materials, caregiver resources and information about ongoing clinical trials. Your doctor can also connect you to local support groups and staff \u2014 social workers and physical and occupational therapists \u2014 who can help you navigate the symptoms and course of LBD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source:\u00a0https:\/\/www.michaeljfox.org\/foundation\/news-detail.php?ask-the-md-faqs-on-lewy-body-dementia<\/a><\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What is Lewy body dementia? What is the difference between Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s? What is the difference between Parkinson\u2019s disease and Lewy body dementia? Is there a test to diagnose Lewy body dementia? Various questions about Lewy Body Dementia.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1402,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1401"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1401\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1403,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1401\/revisions\/1403"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1402"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/demoucelle.sites-stag.agency\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}