Dementia with Lewy bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies (often called fronto-temporal dementia) is similar to Alzheimer's disease in that it is caused by the degeneration and death of nerve cells in the brain. Lewy bodies are tiny protein deposits found in nerve cells and their presence disrupts the brain's normal functioning, interrupting the action of important chemical messengers. Lewy bodies are also found in the brains of people with Parkinson's disease. Researchers do not yet fully understand why Lewy bodies occur in the brain.
People with DLB experience memory loss, confusion regarding time and whereabouts, communication difficulties, slowness, muscle stiffness, trembling of the limbs, a tendency to shuffle when walking, loss of facial expression and changes in strength and tone of voice characteristic of Parkinson's disease.
Symptoms of DLB include fluctuation, stiffness and trembling, a fluctuating ability to complete tasks from hour to hour, even from minute to minute as well as fainting, falling or unexplained turns and visual hallucinations.
DLB affects men more than women and is more prevalent in people over the age of 65.
An accurate diagnosis is important because people with DLB have reacted badly to neuroleptic drugs (strong tranquillisers), which are often prescribed to people with dementia.
There is currently no cure for DLB. Some people may benefit from anti-Parkinson's disease drugs but these may worsen hallucinations and confusion.
