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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffLewy body dementia, the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease, causes a progressive decline in mental abilities.
It may also cause visual hallucinations, which generally take the form of objects, people or animals that aren't there. This can lead to unusual behavior such as having conversations with deceased loved ones.
Another indicator of Lewy body dementia may be significant fluctuations in alertness and attention, which may include daytime drowsiness or periods of staring into space. And, like Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia can result in rigid muscles, slowed movement and tremors.
In Lewy body dementia, protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in nerve cells in regions of your brain involved in thinking, memory and movement (motor control).
- NINDS Dementia with Lewy bodies information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementiawithlewybodies/dementiawithlewybodies.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Diagnosis. Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org/content/diagnosis. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
- Hake AM, et al. Prognosis and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Symptoms. Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org/content/symptoms. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013.
- Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
- Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Communication and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Creating a daily plan. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-creating-a-plan.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Press D. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Sleep issues and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Buettner LL, et al. Animal-assisted therapy for clients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 2011;37:10.
- Being a healthy caregiver. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-healthy-caregiver.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Respite care. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-respite.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- Caregiver stress. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-stress-burnout.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
- U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
- Smith GE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 28, 2013.
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