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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment can be challenging, and there's no cure for Lewy body dementia. Instead, doctors treat the individual symptoms.
Medications
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. These Alzheimer's disease medications work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters — chemical messengers believed to be important for memory, thought and judgment — in the brain. This can help improve alertness and cognition, and may help reduce hallucinations and other behavioral problems. Possible side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation and tearing and frequent urination.
- Parkinson's disease medications. These medications can help reduce Parkinson's-like muscular symptoms in some people with Lewy body dementia, but they can also cause increased confusion, hallucinations and delusions.
- Antipsychotic medications. These medications may somewhat improve delusions and hallucinations. However, at least a third of the people who have Lewy body dementia have a dangerous sensitivity to some of these types of drugs. Reactions, which are sometimes irreversible, can include severe Parkinson's-like symptoms and a worsening of confusion.
Therapies
Because antipsychotic drugs can worsen the symptoms of Lewy body dementia, it might be better to initially try nondrug approaches, such as:
- Modifying the environment. Reducing clutter and distracting noise can make it easier for someone with dementia to focus and function.
- Modifying your responses. A caregiver's response to a behavior can make the behavior worse. It's best to avoid correcting and quizzing a person with dementia. Reassuring the person and validating his or her concerns can defuse most situations.
- Modifying tasks. Break tasks into easier steps and focus on success, not failure. Structure and routine also help people with dementia feel safe.
References
- 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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