Dementia with Lewy Bodies

DLB is like a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Like Alzheimer’s, DLB causes mental symptoms, like confusion and problems with memory. DLB can cause early problems with attention, problem-solving and spatial awareness. Significant memory loss occurs later in DLB than in Alzheimer’s. Like Parkinson’s disease, people with DLB may have trouble with slow movement, including difficulty walking.

Certain symptoms are more common in DLB than in any other disease that causes dementia. Vivid visual hallucinations, swinging between alertness and confusion, physically acting out dreams when asleep, and being unusually stiff and slow moving are all common signs of DLB.

Your doctor will ask about your past health and do a physical exam. You may be asked to do some simple things that test your memory and other mental skills.

The exam usually includes blood tests to look for other causes. You may have tests such as CT scans and MRI scans, which look at your brain.

The progression of DLB is slow. Although there is no cure for DLB, treatment is available to reduce symptoms of the disease.

It is important to know that people with DLB can be highly sensitive to certain medications (like those often used for hallucinations), with unpleasant or even fatal outcomes.

The good news is that people with DLB may respond better to some dementia medications than people with Alzheimer’s. Also, non-medical approaches, such as a daily routine, physical activity where possible, and changes to the environment, can all help manage daily life with DLB.