Lewy body dementia

Symptoms progressively worse over time and may change from one person to another. Changes in cognition, behavior, movement, and sleep are the most common symptoms.

•        Visual hallucinations
•        Poor attention and alertness
•        Confusion
•        Disorganized thoughts
•        Memory problems
•        Poor judgment
•       Difficulties with language and speech
•        Slow movement
•        Rigid muscles
•        Tremors
•       Balance problems and frequent falls
•       Difficulty swallowing
•        Sleep disorders which may include insomnia, and kicking while sleeping
•        Loss of consciousness
•        Urinary incontinence
•        Constipation
•        Postural hypotension
•        Loss of interest in almost all activities
•        Depression
•        Anxiety

Visit a Neurologist to be diagnosed and treated properly, If you or one of your family have any of these symptoms

This condition is caused by abnormal protein deposition “Lewy bodies” in the brain which leads to nerve cell damage. The cause of this protein deposition is still unknown.

Some factors increase the risk of developing this condition such as :

•        Old age (>70 years)
•       Male sex (More men are affected compared to women)
•       Family history (Having a family member who is affected by this disease)

Diagnosis depends mainly on symptoms and medical history as there are no specific tests that can diagnose this condition because it overlaps with other diseases. Different tests may be used to help in diagnosis and ruling out other conditions.

·       Physical examination and medical history : The patient is examined by the doctor and asked about the symptoms to be diagnosed according to specific criteria.

·       Brain scans :

· Magnetic resonance imaging (a procedure in which magnetic fields are used to produce an image of the brain).

· Computed tomography scan (a procedure in which x-ray and a computer are used to produce an image of the brain).

· Positron emission tomography (a procedure that uses radioactive substances during producing an image of the brain).

·       Neurological examination : Evaluating the neurological status by examining the reflexes, memory, language skills, attention, and other cognitive functions.

·       Laboratory tests : A blood sample is taken to be examined to rule out other conditions that may lead to similar symptoms.

·       Sleep evaluation : A specific test is done to examine sleep behavior and the presence of sleep problems.

There is no cure for this condition until now, but some treatment methods are used to improve the symptoms.

Medications :

• Alzheimer’s disease medications : To improve the cognitive symptoms (ex: Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine).
• Parkinson’s disease medications : To improve the motor symptoms (ex: levodopa & carbidopa, levodopa & Entacapone & carbidopa).
• Antidepressants : To treat depression (ex: Escitalopram, Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine).
• Atypical antipsychotics : To treat hallucinations (ex: Aripiprazole, Clozapine, Quetapine, Olanzapine, Risperidone).
• Hypnotics : To treat sleeping problems (ex: Clonazepam, Melatonin).

Other therapies :

Other therapies may be used to improve the patient’s quality of life.

• Speech therapy : Treatment of people with speech and communication problems by training, to help them to speak more clearly.
• Physical therapy : Treatment through specific exercises and machines to help people with movement disorders to move better.
• Occupational therapy : Treatment that helps patients to improve their motor skills and adapt to their illness by teaching them to do the tasks that are important to their daily lives through special exercises.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy : A type of psychotherapy that teaches the patients how to deal with negative thoughts and behaviors.