Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffThe 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.
- 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.
- Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- What is LBD? Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- Hake AM, et al. Prognosis and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 6, 2010.
- 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.
- Caring for Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_caring_for_alzheimers.asp. Accessed July 6, 2010.

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