A progressive form of dementia characterized by the presence of protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the midbrain and cerebral cortex, and loss of cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons. The signs and symptoms overlap with Alzheimer and Parkinson disease.
Definition (MEDLINEPLUS)
Lewy body disease is one of the most common causes of dementia in the elderly. Dementia is the loss of mental functions severe enough to affect normal activities and relationships. Lewy body disease happens when abnormal structures, called Lewy bodies, build up in areas of the brain. The disease may cause a wide range of symptoms, including
Changes in alertness and attention
Hallucinations
Problems with movement and posture
Muscle stiffness
Confusion
Loss of memory
Lewy body disease can be hard to diagnose, because Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease cause similar symptoms. Scientists think that Lewy body disease might be related to these diseases, or that they sometimes happen together.
Lewy body disease usually begins between the ages of 50 and 85. The disease gets worse over time. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on drugs to help symptoms.
NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Definition (MSH)
A neurodegenerative disease characterized by dementia, mild parkinsonism, and fluctuations in attention and alertness. The neuropsychiatric manifestations tend to precede the onset of bradykinesia, MUSCLE RIGIDITY, and other extrapyramidal signs. DELUSIONS and visual HALLUCINATIONS are relatively frequent in this condition. Histologic examination reveals LEWY BODIES in the CEREBRAL CORTEX and BRAIN STEM. SENILE PLAQUES and other pathologic features characteristic of ALZHEIMER DISEASE may also be present. (From Neurology 1997;48:376-380; Neurology 1996;47:1113-1124)
Definition (PSY)
Neurodegenerative disease marked by the presence of Lewy body cells in the cerebral cortex and brain stem. Symptoms often include dementia, parkinsonianism, and striking fluctuations in cognitive performance.
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Swedish
Lewykropp-sjukdom
Czech
nemoc Lewy body, difuzní nemoc Lewy body, demence Lewy body, Nemoc s difuzními Lewyho tělísky, Demence s Lewyho tělísky
Spanish
Lewy body disease, Enfermedad Difusa por Cuerpos de Lewy, Demencia con cuerpos de Lewys, Demencia por cuerpos de Lewy, demencia senil tipo cuerpos de Lewy (trastorno), demencia senil tipo cuerpos de Lewy, enfermedad difusa de cuerpos de Lewy (trastorno), enfermedad difusa de cuerpos de Lewy, variante de la enfermedad de Alzheimer con cuerpos de Lewy, Demencia con Cuerpos de Lewy, Enfermedad por Cuerpos de Lewy Difusos, Enfermedad por Cuerpos de Lewy
Finnish
Lewynkappaledementia
Russian
LEVI TELETS NALICHIIA BOLEZN', LEVI TELETS NALICHIIA BOLEZN' DIFFUZNAIA, LEVI TELETS NALICHIIA DEMENTSIIA, DEMENTSIIA PRI NALICHII LEVI TELETS, ДЕМЕНЦИЯ ПРИ НАЛИЧИИ ЛЕВИ ТЕЛЕЦ, ЛЕВИ ТЕЛЕЦ НАЛИЧИЯ БОЛЕЗНЬ, ЛЕВИ ТЕЛЕЦ НАЛИЧИЯ БОЛЕЗНЬ ДИФФУЗНАЯ, ЛЕВИ ТЕЛЕЦ НАЛИЧИЯ ДЕМЕНЦИЯ
Italian
Malattia diffusa a corpi di Lewy, Demenza con corpi di Lewy, Malattia dei corpi di Lewy
French
Maladie à corps de Lewy diffuse, Démence sénile de type corps de Lewy, Démence à corps de Lewy, Maladie à corps de Lewy
Dutch
diffuse Lewy-lichaampjes-aandoening, dementie met Lewy-lichaampjes, Dementie, Lewy-lichaampjes, Diffuse Lewy-lichaampjes-ziekte, Lewy-lichaampjes-ziekte
Doença difusa de corpos de Lewy, Demência com corpos de Lewy, Demência com Corpos de Lewy, Demência por Corpos de Lewy, Doença Difusa por Corpos de Lewy, Doença por Corpos de Lewy, Doenças por Corpos de Lewy Difusos