Symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies or Parkinson’s disease with dementia (both considered Lewy Body dementias) may be similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. The main symptom of Lewy Body dementias is progressive dementia and problems with “executive functions” such as planning, paying attention and deciding on an appropriate action.
People with Lewy body dementias may also have one or more of the following symptoms:
- Vivid hallucinations
- Noticeable fluctuation in attention and alertness
- Parkinsonism [physical symptoms such as stiffness, tremors and problems with coordination]
- REM [rapid eye movement] sleep behavior disorder, in which people physically act out dreams
- Extreme sensitivity to antipsychotic medications used to treat hallucinations.
Learn More:
Tangled Neuron Posts and Pages:
Lewy Body Dementias and Sensitivity to Medicines
Lewy Body Dementia: One Couple's Story
Lewy Body Dementia: Hard to Diagnose
Lewy Body Dementia: The Importance of the Right Diagnosis
Alzheimer's or Lewy Body Dementia? (Part 1 of 3)
Alzheimer's or Lewy Body Dementia? (Part 2 of 3)
Alzheimer's or Lewy Body Dementia? (Part 3 of 3)
Other Sources:
Information about DLB from the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
