Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the 2nd most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, affecting more than one million people in the United States. This brain disorder leads to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. People with LBD have abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, also called Lewy bodies. Because LBD symptoms may closely resemble Alzheimer’s disease, it is widely under-diagnosed. Most people with DLB start having symptoms between ages 50 and 85.
What are the Different Types of Lewy Body Dementia?
LBD is an umbrella term for two related diagnoses:
Dementia with Lewy bodies is accepted as the way to describe patients whose earliest symptoms include a decline in thinking abilities, which is often accompanied by visual hallucinations and a sleep problem called REM sleep behavior disorder. These patients later develop such Parkinson’s disease symptoms as tremor, increased muscle tone, slowness of movements, and gait problems.
In Parkinson's disease dementia, movement symptoms start first and are consistent with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Later, problems with thinking and changes in mood and behavior develop. However, not everyone with Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia.
Each person with LBD is different in terms of which symptoms they have in the beginning. The most common symptoms include problems in thinking, behavior, movement, and sleep. Read more about LBD symptoms.
What Medications are Helpful for LBD?
There are medications that help manage the symptoms. These medications are called cholinesterase inhibitors. Some examples of these medicines are donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine. If a person with DLB has movement symptoms they may be treated with medications used for Parkinson’s disease, such as levodopa. Sleep problems may be managed by sleep medications including melatonin.
LBD Medication Glossary - This glossary provides helpful information to Lewy body dementia (LBD) families about medications used to treat cognitive, motor, mood or behavioral disorders.
What Else Can Help People Living with LBD?
There are various ways to support a person with DLB. Speech therapy may help improve communication between people with DLB and others. Physical therapy may help strengthen and stretch stiff muscles and help to prevent falls.
Research has shown that physical exercise helps to enhance brain health and improves mood and strength and balance. The MBWC team recommends a balanced diet and limited alcohol intake to support health. Other illnesses that affect the brain, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, should also be treated if present.
Sleep issues are a common symptom of LBD. SOme suggestions to support sleep include:
- Closing curtains and turning off lights at same time each evening can help cue the person that it is bedtime.
- In daytime, getting as much exposure to daylight as possible, avoiding naps, and engaging in stimulating activities, can be helpful.
- More MBWC Sleep Tips
