About Alzheimer's Disease: The Frustrations of Lewy Body Dementia

If you can't see this email, click here

Alzheimer's Disease Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms / Diagnosis Treatment Coping From Andrew Rosenzweig, MD, your Guide to Alzheimer's Disease A reader recently wrote me about what he aptly described as "the most alarming, traumatic, and daunting of the dementias we see." With Lewy Body Dementia, he noted, comes "frantic phone calls and cries for help from caregivers" much more than from Alzheimer's disease. Having treated people with dementia for over 15 years now, I'm convinced that Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the second most common type of dementia, and this week's newsletter tries to shed some light on this controversial and frustrating illness. Introduction to Lewy Body Dementia Lewy body dementia is associated with deposits of the protein alpha-synuclein inside nerve cells in the brain. People with Lewy body dementia experience impairment in their perception, thinking, and behavior. They also experience visual hallucinations, Parkinson's-like symptoms, and fluctuating alertness.... Read more See More About:  lewy body dementia  vascular dementia  alzheimer's diagnosis Treatment of Dementia with Lewy Bodies The skepticism that some doctors feel about using cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease should not apply to DLB. Specifically, a study showed that Exelon (rivastigmine) helps some of the behavioral disturbances in patients with DLB, including anxiety, apathy, and hallucinations.... Read more See More About:  dementia  lewy body dementia  cholinesterase inhibitors Parkinson's Disease Dementia Some research suggests that Dementia with Lewy Bodies is related to Parkinson's Disease Dementia. Both cause significant sleep problems, and both have high amounts of a protein called alpha synuclein... Read more See More About:  alzheimer's symptoms  dementia  drugs for alzheimer's REM Sleep Behavior Disorder If you or a loved one have ever acted out dreams while remaining asleep, it could be a condition known as REM sleep behavior disorder. This condition may occur in people with Lewy Body Dementia or Parkinson's Disease Dementia... Read more See More About:  rem behavior disorder  parasomnias  sleep stages Alzheimer's Disease Ads Dementia LEWY Body Dementia Alzheimers Disease Parkinsons Disease LEWY Disease Featured Articles Working With Your Doctor Resources and Services Books, Mags, and Movies Glossary Alzheimer's Basics Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease   More from About.com Discover the Disney Dream Disney's newest cruise ship has something for every family member, from the Aqua Duck watercoaster to adults-only lounges. More> Cruise the Celebrity Eclipse The Eclipse features luxurious interiors, a spa, and the "iLounge" where guests can check email and create their own photo books. More> This newsletter is written by: Andrew Rosenzweig, MD Alzheimer's Disease Guide Email Me | My Blog | My Forum   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About Alzheimer's Disease newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 249 West 17th Street New York, NY, 10011 © 2011 About.com   Must Reads What is Alzheimer's Symptoms of Alzheimer's Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Treatment of Alzheimer's Living With Alzheimer's Advertisement