Lewy body dementia
Approximately 10% of people suffering from dementia have Lewy body dementia (LBD). This form of dementia has several unique aspects. For example, Lewy body dementia is characterized by extreme fluctuations in cognitive decline. How someone feels and behaves can vary greatly from day to day, and even from hour to hour.
Curious about other unique characteristics of Lewy body dementia? In this article, we'll tell you more about it.
How does Lewy body dementia develop?
In people with LBD, protein deposits form deep in the brain, specifically in the brainstem. These deposits are called Lewy bodies. Scientists believe they develop when a brain cell is endangered, for example, by a toxic substance.
The Lewy bodies cause brain cells to function less effectively and eventually die off. From the brainstem, these bodies spread to other areas of the brain.
In Lewy body dementia, heredity rarely plays a role.
Lewy body dementia symptoms
People with Lewy body dementia often experience fluctuating mental and physical symptoms. These symptoms can change hourly and daily.
Cognitive issues:
- Reduced processing speed, for example slow responses to questions
- Attention and concentration problems
- Difficulty in planning, organizing, and maintaining overview
- Periodic confusion. Persistent focus problems typically appear in later stages
- Decline in spatial understanding. Estimating distances becomes increasingly challenging
- Hallucinations and delusions: Seeing things that aren't there
- Vivid dreams and uncontrolled movements
- Less control over emotions, for example quick anger or sadness
Physical complaints:
From the beginning, people with Lewy body dementia often exhibit symptoms similar to Parkinson's disease. These include symptoms such as:
- Tremor (shaking of body parts)
- Stiffness
- Slow movements
- Stooped posture
Lewy body dementia is therefore considered a form of parkinsonism. This is a condition that closely resembles Parkinson's disease but has different causes and additional symptoms. This complicates accurate diagnosis in the early stages.
The course of Lewy body dementia
A characteristic of Lewy body dementia is significant fluctuations in cognitive decline. People with this form of dementia can experience many symptoms one day and few the next. It can even vary from hour to hour how someone feels and behaves.
Most diagnoses are made from the age of 65 onwards. People with LBD often have awareness of their own illness for a long time, which can be very distressing.
There is currently no cure for Lewy body dementia. Medications and treatments aim to alleviate symptoms, such as medications for hallucinations, concentration problems, or sleep disturbances.
Additionally, various forms of therapy can help. These include physiotherapy and occupational therapy for Parkinson's symptoms, as well as cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy to support mental complaints. Life expectancy with Lewy body dementia is approximately five to twelve years after diagnosis.
Practical tips for caregivers of people with Lewy body dementia
- The symptoms of this condition can vary greatly, making it difficult to track the progression. Therefore, keep a diary to record what happens. This is particularly valuable for discussions with, for example, the general practitioner or case manager.
- As mentioned earlier, medications can be used for various symptoms of Lewy body dementia. Keep track in the same diary of how your loved one responds to these medications. This information can be helpful in treating the symptoms.
- People with Lewy body dementia may sometimes become lost. This happens due to mental symptoms such as confusion and problems with spatial understanding. A tracker (with or without emergency call function) can provide a sense of security when your loved one is out independently.