Dementia with Lewy body disease (DLB) is a condition that significantly alters thinking, behavior, and movement. It usually begins with changes in thinking and behavior, followed by movement issues similar to those in classic Parkinson’s disease. The underlying cause of DLB is the decay or deterioration of brain tissue. While there may be a genetic component, the exact reasons for developing DLB are not always clear. Lewy bodies in the brain, which impact neurotransmitters — chemicals facilitating nerve cell communication — play a crucial role in this condition.
Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of dementia, affecting approximately 1.4 million individuals and their families in the United States. Named after the presence of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies, which are primarily collections of alpha-synuclein, this type of dementia is closely associated with degenerative neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. These Lewy bodies predominantly affect certain brain regions, particularly the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for thinking, attention, and visual processing.
The accumulation of these abnormal synuclein-based proteins, or Lewy bodies, in brain cells leads to cellular injury. When these proteins affect the brain stem, they can result in Parkinson’s disease, whereas their impact on other parts of the brain leads to dementia with Lewy bodies. Interestingly, Lewy bodies can also lead to symptoms that might be more aptly described as mild cognitive impairment, rather than full-blown dementia.
The dementia seen in DLB is distinct from Alzheimer’s disease. In Alzheimer’s, difficulty in recalling recent events often appears early and prominently. In contrast, DLB features a different progression and symptomatology.
Memory and Aging Center |
University of Rochester Medical Center |
Baylor College of Medicine |
Harvard Health |
A Patient’s Guide to Dementia with Lewy Body Disease |
Northwestern University Brain |
Stanford Medicine.