Dementia and Lewy Body Disease Simon's post

[parkie13]

scienceofparkinsons.com/201...

[parkie13]

m.neurology.org/content/87/...

Just before his suicide Robin Williams was switched from mirapex to sinemet. The above article says there's a greater chance of suicide during the withdrawal period from mirapex.

[hopeful88]

This article is an okay review of the symptoms of lewy body dementia (LBD). But otherwise it's a crummy article. Simon fails to mention that lewy body dementia is essentially Parkinson's disease run in the 'reverse' direction. That is, Parkinson's disease dementia (which develops in a number of people years after being diagnosed with PD) is essentially the same disease as LBD. When scientists posthumously examine the brain of those who had LBD vs those who had PDD, they literally can't tell a difference between the two brains.

Most parkies don't realize that PD is actually a disease of the entire brain. Issues with speech, fatigue, executive function, and vision are all common as Parkinson's progresses. Something like 80% of those with PD will have significant problems with these issues during the last quarter of their fight with PD. It creeps up on you over time...slowly you get pushed more and more towards the issues that occur in LBD. This is true from a symptom perspective, but also true from the perspective of neurodegeneration within the brain itself.

The reason I mention this is because, something that is neuroprotective in LBD is also very likely to be neuroprotective in PD. Yes I know the movement symptoms are crippling in PD, but it's also important to protect the other areas of your brain as well.

Simon's article should have been named 'An overview of lewy body dementia'. I hope that Simon realizes that in order to cure Parkinson's disease, you're going to have to (from a research standpoint) study the other synucleopathic diseases as well. A true 'cure' for PD will also be a cure for PDD and LBD as well.

[Xenos in reply to hopeful88]

Right on Hopeful. At least do I think so.

[Hikoi in reply to hopeful88]

I didnt think it was crummy. I found it useful. Thanks for posting parkie