Dementia is a mental disorder that comes in different forms, all of which are devastating to the patient in different degrees. You’ve probably heard of Alzheimer’s disease, which is a fatal form of dementia affecting about 5-million Americans, according to Alzheimer’s Association. The same source predicts this number will be at 14-million by 2050. However, there are other types of dementia.
Another type of dementia is Lewy body dementia (LBD), named after the scientist who discovered related deposits in the brain. Lewy body dementia also describes dementia related to Parkinson’s disease, explains Healthline. To get better informed on this condition and help spread awareness, here’s a look at some more details about this brain disorder…
What is Lewy Body Dementia?
According to Cleveland Clinic, LBD involves proteins called alpha-synucleins that accumulate inside brain cells. The “clumps of proteins” named after the discoverer can cause damage to brain cell neurons, which can affect patients in different ways.
Because it follows the same symptom patterns as other types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s, and there are no medical tests that can pinpoint LBD with complete accuracy, adds the source – which notes that LBD is one of the most common types of dementia in older patients. Those with LBD may have some or all of the following symptoms.