Please read: Important 2013 cancer research update from Dr. Michael Camilleri

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Lewy body dementia signs and symptoms may include:

  • Visual hallucinations. You may see visual hallucinations, such as colors, shapes, animals or people that aren't there. Hallucinations may be one of the first symptoms of Lewy body dementia. Some people also may experience sound (auditory), smell (olfactory) or touch (tactile) hallucinations.
  • Movement disorders. You may experience symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease (parkinsonian symptoms), such as slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremors or a shuffling walk.
  • Poor regulations of body function. Blood pressure, pulse, sweating and digestive process are regulated by a part of the nervous system that is often affected by Lewy body dementia. This can result in dizziness, falls and bowel issues.
  • Cognitive problems. You may experience thinking (cognitive) problems similar to problems experienced in Alzheimer's disease, such as confusion, reduced attention span and eventually memory loss.
  • Sleep difficulties. You may have a sleep disorder called rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder that can cause you to physically act out your dreams while you're asleep.
  • Fluctuating attention. You may have frequent episodes of drowsiness, long periods of staring into space, long naps during the day or disorganized speech.
  • Depression. You may experience depression sometime during the course of your illness.
Causes Definition
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 Jan. 18, 2013.
  2. Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  3. Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  4. Diagnosis. Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org/content/diagnosis. Accessed Jan. 31, 2013.
  5. Hake AM, et al. Prognosis and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  6. Symptoms. Lewy Body Dementia Association. http://www.lbda.org/content/symptoms. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
  7. 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.
  8. Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
  9. 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.
  10. Communication and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  11. Creating a daily plan. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-creating-a-plan.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  12. Press D. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  13. Sleep issues and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  14. Buettner LL, et al. Animal-assisted therapy for clients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 2011;37:10.
  15. Being a healthy caregiver. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-healthy-caregiver.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  16. Respite care. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-respite.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  17. Caregiver stress. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-stress-burnout.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  18. U.S. News best hospitals 2012-2013. U.S. News & World Report. http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  19. Smith GE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 28, 2013.
DS00795 April 17, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger