What is Lewy Body Dementia?

As owner of Marilyn Electronics I am trying to do my part in educating people about Lewy Body Dementia. Lewy Body Dementia is a vastly under diagnosed and underfunded disease that my Dad (Marilyn Electronics Co-founder) is suffering from and which has now consumed a large amount of our family's time and taken an emotional toll on our family over the past year to help give him the quality of life that he deserves as he struggles with this disease.

Please read the information below which is provided by the Lewy Body Dementia Association and donate to their organization if you can.

Kind Regards,
Gail Peckman, President
Marilyn Electronics

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Lewy Body Dementia is...
A progressive brain disease and the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Lewy body dementia is a ‘spectrum disorder,’ meaning it can occur alone or in combination with Parkinson’s disease, or co-exist with Alzheimer’s disease.

LEWY BODY DEMENTIA IS NOT A RARE DISEASE…

It accounts for up to 20% of dementia cases in the U.S. — that’s up to 1.3 million cases in the U.S. alone, with only 30%-50% of LBD cases being accurately diagnosed, even in dementia centers.

EARLY AND ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE…

Antipsychotic drugs may cause extreme adverse reactions in those with LBD. Cholinesterase inhibitors may improve alertness and cognition and potentially reduce hallucinations and behavioral symptoms.

Lewy body dementias (LBD) include:
- Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD)
- dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)

Items in bold are included in DLB diagnostic criteria:

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Dementia symptoms specific to Lewy body dementia:
- Fluctuating cognition
- Neuroleptic sensitivity

LBD Symptoms that resemble Alzheimer’s:
- Progressive memory loss
- Changes in mood and behavior
- Decreased judgment and insight
- Loss of initiative
- Disorientation re: time and place
- Difficulty with language and tasks

Dementia symptoms that resemble Parkinson’s:
- Extrapyramidal signs
- Muscle stiffness and rigidity
- Very slow movements, frozen stance
- Balancing difficulties, shuffling gait
- Tremors
- Stooped posture
- Blank facial expression
- Difficulty swallowing, weak voice
- Restless leg syndrome
- Repeated falls, fainting, myoclonus

Additional symptoms typical of Lewy body dementia:
- Visual hallucinations (also smell, sound, taste, touch)
- Transient/unexplained unresponsiveness
- Delusions, mood disorders
- Illusions
- Visuospatial impairment(depth perception, object orientation)
- Sleep disturbances, such as acting out vivid nightmares and dreams
- Autonomic dysfunction (blood pressure fluctuations, constipation, incontinence, sexual dysfunction)

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Clinical management is challenging because…

Antipsychotic drugs may cause worsening of confusion, Parkinsonism, heavy sedation, neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, and some surgical
anesthetics, antidepressants, and over-the-counter medications
may cause sedation, motor impairment, or confusion.

Some medications for Parkinsonian symptoms may increase
confusion, delusions, and hallucinations.

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All information above is the property of Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. Please go to their web site for more information.

Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc.
912 Killian Hill Rd., S.W.
Lilburn, GA 30047
Office: 404-935-6444
Fax: 480-422-5434
Caregiver Helpline: 800-LEWY-SOS (800-539-9767)
www.lbda.org