Is an interesting form of Dementia that has similar symptoms as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

“Lewy bodies” are the typical findings in these disease

Lewy bodies are found as proteins (alpha-synuclein) in neurons of the brain – often detected on autopsy

Affected neurons in the brain are “cholinergic neurons” and “dopaminergic neurons”

Cholinergic neurons are affected in Alzheimer’s

Dopaminergic neurons are affected in Parkinson’s

A large sensitivity to medications related to neurolepic and antimetic medications

The apparent worse medications are:

1.)    Thioridazine
2.)    Chlorpromazine
3.)   Haloperidol

Symptoms

-    Loss of attention
-    Memory changes
-    Vision changes
-    Hallucinations
-    Gait shuffling
-    Blank facial expression
-    Movements become more rigid
-    Falling

Causes

-     Not well understood
-     Genetics may be associated

Management/Treatment

There is no cure for this disease – but management is important
.           Cabidopa + Levodopa (Sinemet)

Cholinesterase inhibitors

.            Donepezil (Aricept)
.            Rivastigmine (Exelon)
.            Galantamine (Reminyl)

Atypical Antipsychotics

Other medications

.            Botulinum toxin
.            Clonazepam

Management

-     Over time the need for additional supervision is necessary

-     Whether it is family members or a nursing homes

-     Individuals will have good and bad days

-     Maintain schedule

-     Changes may cause relapses or worsening symptoms for that day or period