Lewy body Dementia

Question 1

What is the cause of Lewy body dementia?

Answer 1

Abnormal protein deposits (levy bodies) clump together in the brain.

Question 2

What condition does LB dementia mimic?

Answer 2

Parkinsons - rigidity, tremor, bradykinesia

Question 3

Which symptoms come first?

Answer 3

cognitive symptoms come first and motor symptoms don’t come until later

Question 4

What are the cognitive symptoms of LB dementia?

Answer 4

They usually fluctuate during the day:

Difficulty focusing
Poor memory
visual hallucinations
disorganised speech
depression
confusion
sleepiness

Question 5

What is misfiled in LB dementia?

Answer 5

The alpha synuclei

Question 6

What are the motor symptoms of LB dementia?

Answer 6

Resting tremors, 
stiff and slow movements, reduced facial expression
fainting
unsteadiness and falls 
rigidity
bradykinesia

Question 7

What is the diagnosis for LB dementia?

Answer 7

Only confirmed on a brain autopsy

Question 8

What is the profession like for LB dementia?

Answer 8

It develops slowly and gets worse but takes years

Question 9

What is the treatment for LB dementia?

Answer 9

Parkinsonism - Levodopa
Hallucinations - ACE inhibitors
Other - donezapil, galantamine, rivastigimine

Question 10

What scan is done for Lewy body dementia?

Answer 10

DAT scan