what is lewie body dementia?

Answer 1

The correct spelling is LEWY.

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disease and the second leading cause of degenerative dementia in the elderly. The clinical name, “dementia with Lewy bodies” (DLB), accounts for up to 20% of all dementia cases, or 800,000 patients in the US. Over 50% of Parkinson’s disease patients develop “Parkinson’s disease dementia” (PDD), which accounts for at least 750,000 patients. (PDD is also a Lewy body dementia.)

Answer 2

It's fairly uncommon and diagnosed by a neurologist by the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain. I am uncertain how the neurologist diagnoses this form specifically but I believe it is because of particular clinical manifestations of the disorder since all forms of dementia cannot be verified except at autopsy. I believe the progression is more rapid and the course is unremitting and hallucinations and delusions are common, but also present in other forms of dementia. I had one client with this form once a few years ago however she did not stay in treatment long and there was little I could do for her. Family members can be helped with education and coping strategies. I'm sorry if someone that you know has this, it's a pretty virulent form as I recall.

Answer 3

this is an unusual form of dementia. I think it is often associated with halluncinations and other behaviors but am not sure.