Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia the second most progressive form after Alzheimer's disease. Dementia with lewy bodies is defined by abnormal deposits of protein called alpha-synuclein which from inside the brain's nerve cells.

The deposits have been named after the scientist that discovered them, Friederich H. Lewy in 1912. These Lewy bodies cause cognitive problems much like those seen in diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. This disease to date has no cure and progressively worsens through time

Lewy body disease is also called Lewy body dementia, diffuse Lewy body disease, senile dementia of Lewy body type and Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease.

What exactly are Lewy bodies?

Friederich Lewy was examining brains of Parkinson's disease when he found irregularities in the cells located in the mid-brain area. These abnormal formations become known as Lewy bodies. Since that discovery the observance of Lewy bodies in the mid-brain are acknowledged as a sign of Parkinson's disease. Researchers in the 1960's discovered Lewy bodies in the cortex of the brain in some people who had dementia. Lewy body disease was thought to be uncommon until the 1980's when approved approaches had proved that Lewy body disease was actually more common that what was previously thought.

People with Lewy bodies disease have these Lewy bodies in the mid-brain area or the cortex of the brain. It also thought that many people with Alzheimer's disease have cortical Lewy bodies. Due to that reason many people with Lewy body are often misdiagnosed at least upon initial diagnoses as either having Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease. A major reason for this is because there is little knowledge about Lewy bodies.

Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

People with Lewy body dementia have cognitive problems much like those persons with Alzheimer's disease such as problems with memory and language. At times it is often difficult to tell the two diseases apart. Some practitioners do hold the belief that there are three discriminate characteristics and when two of them are existent it makes the diagnoses for Lew body dementia likely:

Motor problems such as an impairment in walking such as shuffling feet when walking is possibly the most usual one. Also, another common symptom is muscle stiffness and tendency to fall. Tremors is less common.

Variations in cognitive function with altering levels of alertness and attention. Time spans of being alert and coherent and time spans of being confused and unresponsive to questions.

Visual hallucinations which most of the times happen on the onset of the disease. These hallucinations include seeing things in which are not there such as colors, shapes and animals.

Memory problems that overlap with Alzheimer's disease such as confusion and bad judgment.

Extremely drowsy during the daytime hours.

REM sleep disorder happen in half of the cases.

Risk Factors

The cause of Lewy body dementia still is not certain. There are several elements in which seem to add to the risk for developing this disease. There are only three found currently which are being over age 60 and male along with having a family member who has the disease.

Lewy body dementia is a progressive disease that does become worse with time causing severe dementia and cessation of life about eight years after the beginning of the disease.

Testing and diagnoses of the disease

In order for the practitioner to make the diagnoses of this disease, there must be an experienced decrease in the ability to think and two of the following three:

Variations in alertness and cognition.

Visual hallucinations which repeat.

Symptoms much like that of Parkinson's disease.

There is just not one test which can determine Lewy body dementia so practitioners must do so by process of elimination. This is done by omitting other disease or conditions which could cause the same symptoms. Tests which can be done include:

A neurological exam that can test reflexes, eye movements, sense of touch and balance. Along with more intensive neurological testing which can take several hours.

Blood tests that can omit any physical condition which could affect the functioning of the brain such as under active thyroid.

EEG could be ordered if the confusion seems to come and go. This aides in determining if it could be caused by seizures or a rare, genetic, generative brain disorder called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

MRI or CAT scan in order to check for any signs of stroke or bleeding to rule out a tumor.

Conventional treatments

Currently this dementia also has no known cure. There are no medications in which the FDA has given approval for treatment of dementia with Lewy body.

Currently practitioner prescribe medications based on four major areas which are found in this disease:

Aricept which is used for cognitive problems and frequently prescribe for Alzheimer's patients. It is said to slow down the disease in some patients.

Sinemet is usually prescribed for motor problems however, it can make hallucinations worse.

Zyperexa is an anti-psychotic medication commonly prescribed for hallucinations. It does have a major draw back it can make motor problems much worse and in 2004, the FDA issued a warning on this medication. The warning for this medication must include the fact about the risks of diabetes, stroke and death associated to this medication. Also, it must not only be in patient pamphlet information any commercial on this medication had to also state the warning.

Other medications which have been prescribed have included:

Cholinesterase inhibitors which are prescribed for Alzheimer's disease. The medication is to increase the neurotransmitters.

Medications for Parkinson's disease however, in some patients these medications had increased hallucinations, confusion and delusions.

Anti-psychotic medications somewhat help but once again cause problems. In one-third of people with Lewy body dementia they had developed a severe sensitivity to these medications. Some these reactions are irreversible that include symptoms of severe Parkinson's disease.

Alternative treatments

There are some alternative treatments that have been known to aide those with Lewy body dementia.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy in which includes the area of cardiovascular, strengthening and flexibility exercises. Gait training is also recommended. Exercises such as water exercises and aerobics have been helpful.

Music Therapy

Some nursing and rehabilitation centers offer music therapy to their patients who have dementia. It is usually offered in a group setting from late afternoon time when the sun starts to go down. Listening to the soothing music aides in decreasing agitation and aides them to focus on enjoyment.

Recreational Therapy

These programs include things such as exercise and movement groups, pet therapy, cognitive fitness which includes things such as playing trivia and word type games.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is largely used in cases of dementia. These effects from the smells influence the outcomes in treatments.

Aromatherapy effects have been studied in numerous clinical studies in group or individual, large or small and have shown that aromatherapy does provide benefits to those suffering from this disease.

It has a positive effect on sleep, decreases agitated behaviors and resistance from the patient to the caregiver. Lavender and lemon balm are the two most common oils in which are used and have shown positive results. They can be used through smell as in an oil burner or in massage and even in lotions for the patient to use.

Chinese Medicine

Chinese medicine use of neuro acupuncture and herbal brain powder is said to provide positive effects. The powder is to regenerate the brain cells and Qi level in the brain to correct the conditions of this disease.

Chiropractic

Upper cervical chiropractic care has been noted in some cases to have success on the outcome of Parkinson's disease. It had shown improvements in such areas of spinal pain, posture, improvement in fluid walking, facial expression and reduced tremors. Since treatments of this disease are used for those of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's it could help improve symptoms. However, there have been no scientific studies done on this concept.

To find support on this disease you can look online at Lewy Body Dementia.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic

Alzheimer's Association

Lewy Body Journal

Lewy Body Dementia

Sherrill House

Advances In Psychiatric Treatment

The Tole Acupuncture and Medical Center

Chiropractic Resources