Lewy body dementia
Resources for Patients and Caregivers
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.
Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: 26-Lewy Bodies Disorder/Dementia
Diagnosis:
US Patients: American actor and comedian Robin Williams committed suicide in 2014 with Parkinson’s and Lewy Bodies.
World Patients:
Sex Ratio:
Age Onset: after age 50 with life expectancy of 8 years after diagnosis
Brain Area: The SNCA gene encodes the alpha-synuclein protein which is a building-block of Lewy bodies.
Symptoms: acting out dreams, visual hallucinations, attention difficulties, slowness of movements
Progression: dementia and Parkinson’s patients may also be affected. Cause cognitive fluctuations.
Causes: clumps of protein form on brain neurons causing heart and digestive functions, low blood pressure and apathy.
Medications: several
Therapies: Cognitive training, deep-brain and transcranial direct current stimulations have been used.
Youtube Video: Lewy Body Disease
Amazon or Library Book:
A Caregiver’s Guide to Lewy Body Dementia
Click the book to link or buy from Amazon.
Support Group: lbda.org; 800-539-9767 (lewybodydementiaassociation)
Resources for Physicians, Counselors and Researchers
4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED
The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis
Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.
- Practical use of DAT SPECT imaging in diagnosing dementia with Lewy bodies: a US perspective of current guidelines and future directionsby Deirdre M O'Shea on May 7, 2024
CONCLUSION: ^(123)I-ioflupane SPECT Imaging is indicated for DLB diagnosis and differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease, particularly in uncertain cases. Addressing diagnostic obstacles and enhancing physician-patient education could improve and expedite DLB diagnosis. Collaborative efforts among neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, psychologists, and memory clinic staff are key to increasing diagnostic accuracy and care in DLB management.
- Pharmacological inhibition of α-synuclein aggregation within liquid condensatesby Samuel T Dada on May 7, 2024
Aggregated forms of α-synuclein constitute the major component of Lewy bodies, the proteinaceous aggregates characteristic of Parkinson's disease. Emerging evidence suggests that α-synuclein aggregation may occur within liquid condensates formed through phase separation. This mechanism of aggregation creates new challenges and opportunities for drug discovery for Parkinson's disease, which is otherwise still incurable. Here we show that the condensation-driven aggregation pathway of α-synuclein...
- Neuroinflammation is associated with Alzheimer's disease co-pathology in dementia with Lewy bodiesby Janna van Wetering on May 7, 2024
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, microglial activation in DLB was largely associated with AD co-pathology, while astrocytic response in DLB was not. In addition, microglial activity was high in limbic regions, with prevalent AD pathology. Our study provides novel insights into the molecular neuropathology of DLB, highlighting the importance of microglial activation in mixed DLB + AD.
- Phase 2A Learnings Incorporated into RewinD-LB, a Phase 2B Clinical Trial of Neflamapimod in Dementia with Lewy Bodiesby N D Prins on May 6, 2024
CONCLUSION: In addition to use of a single dose regimen of neflamapimod (40mg TID), key distinctions between phase 2b and phase 2a include RewinD-LB (1) excluding patients with AD co-pathology, (2) having CDR-SB as the primary endpoint, and (3) having MRI studies to evaluate effects on basal forebrain atrophy.