DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE DEMENTIA AND DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES: RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SCIENTIFIC DEPARTMENT OF COGNITIVE NEUROLOGY AND AGING OF THE BRAZILIAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) represent the second most common type of degenerative dementia in patients aged 65 years and older, leading to progressive cognitive dysfunction and impaired quality of life. This study aims to provide a consensus based on a Brazilian systematic literature review and a comprehensive international review concerning PDD and DLB. Moreover, we sought to inform and give recommendations about the best diagnostic approaches focusing on the primary and secondary care attention. Based on the available data, we recommend clinicians to perform at least a one brief global cognitive instrument, such as Mini-Mental State Examination, but preferably the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-Revised in the assessment of PDD. There is a lack of validated instruments for the accurate assessment of functional abilities on Brazilian PD patients. Further studies focusing on biomarkers with Brazilian cohorts are also warranted.