Dementia with Lewy bodies: An overview

Abstract

Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common form of degenerative dementia. Despite the established dichotomy between dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia, there are striking similarities. These include overlaps in neuropathology, clinical findings, pharmacologic responses, neurochemistry, and neuropsychology. Despite the well-established consensus criteria for the clinical diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies, the validity of this set of criteria has been questioned. The central place of cognitive fluctuations and visual hallucinations for the diagnosis is uncertain. The presence of parkinsonism and its co-occurrence with dementia appear to be more reliable features. The use of the consensus criteria may result in over- or underdiagnosis. There is extensive overlap between Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body disorders. There is some evidence that the presence of Alzheimer's disease plaque amyloid may foster the production of Lewy bodies.