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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

The cause of Lewy body dementia isn't known, but the disorder may be related to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

  • Lewy bodies contain a protein associated with Parkinson's disease.
  • Lewy bodies often are found in the brains of people who have Parkinson's and other rare dementias.
  • People who have Lewy bodies in their brains also have the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease.

Some scientists have suggested there's a Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease. Conversely, Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's simply may coexist in some people.

References
  1. NINDS Dementia with Lewy bodies information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementiawithlewybodies/dementiawithlewybodies.htm. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  2. Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  3. Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  4. What is LBD? Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  5. Hake AM, et al. Prognosis and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  6. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm?css=print. Accessed July 6, 2010.
  7. Caring for Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caring_for_alzheimers.asp. Accessed July 6, 2010.
DS00795 Sept. 17, 2010

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