In 1912, while Frederick Lewy was examining the brains of people with Parkinson's disease, he discovered microscopic protein deposits in deteriorating nerve cells in the mid-brain region. These became known as Lewy bodies. Since that time, the presence of Lewy bodies in the mid-brain has been recognized as a hallmark of Parkinson's disease
Lewy body dementia signs and symptoms may include:
> Visual hallucinations. Seeing colors, shapes, animals or people that aren't there may be one of the first symptoms of Lewy body dementia.
>Movement disorders. Parkinson's-like signs may include slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremors or a shuffling walk.
>Delusions. These may consist of false ideas about another person or situation.
>Cognitive problems. Alzheimer's-like problems may include confusion, memory loss and a reduced attention span.
>Sleep difficulties. A sleep disorder can cause you to physically act out your dreams while you're asleep.
>Fluctuating attention. This may include frequent episodes of drowsiness, long periods of staring into space, lethargy or disorganized speech.
Not all Parkinson's suffers have Lewy Disease but researchers believe that between 40 to 70 percent experience this debilitating condition. Those affected, are typically older patients with PD, age 60 and over. Parkinson's sufferers with Lewy body disease have cognitive problems (problems with thinking, memory, language, etc.) similar to those that occur in Alzheimer's disease.
Some Researchers think there are three distinguishing features and that the presence of two of them makes the diagnosis of Lewy body disease probable:
1. Motor problems typical of Parkinson's disease but usually not so severe as to warrant a diagnosis of Parkinson's. Of these problems, an impairment in walking (a shuffling gait) might be the most common one. Also common would be muscle stiffness and a tendency to fall. Tremor would be less common.
2.Fluctuations in cognitive function with varying levels of alertness and attention. Periods of being alert and coherent alternate with periods of being confused and unresponsive to questions.
3.Visual hallucinations, usually occurring early on. Delusions may be common too.
Medications
Cholinesterase inhibitors. These Alzheimer's disease medications work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters — chemical messengers believed to be important for memory, thought and judgment — in the brain. This can help improve alertness and cognition, and may help reduce hallucinations and other behavioral problems. Possible side effects may include gastrointestinal upset, excessive salivation and tearing and frequent urination.
Parkinson's disease medications. These medications can help reduce Parkinson's-like muscular symptoms in some people with Lewy body dementia, but they can also cause increased confusion, hallucinations and delusions.
Antipsychotic medications. These medications may somewhat improve delusions and hallucinations. However, at least a third of the people who have Lewy body dementia have a dangerous sensitivity to some of these types of drugs. Reactions, which are sometimes irreversible, can include severe Parkinson's-like symptoms and a worsening of confusion.
I thank my God of choice that I am not in the 40 to 70 % of PWPs that have this condition....Yet.......but I'm not over 60 and who knows what will happen then? For me; this is the scariest possibility. I can deal with rigidity, shaking and pain but the loss of my mind is something that I find unfathomable. Are you facing Lewy Body Disease?