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| LBD can be managed until a cure is found. |
When news broke that actor and comedian Robin Williams showed signs of diffuse Lewy body disease, it sparked new interest and coverage in the condition, according to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA). Read on to learn what it is and how it can be managed until a cure can be found.
What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disorder that affects behavior, cognition and movement. LBD is an umbrella term for two closely related clinical diagnoses: Parkinson’s disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
LBD causes are not yet fully understood. Multiple factors might make someone susceptible to LBD, including genetic and environmental risk factors combined with natural aging processes. Symptoms can include impaired thinking and memory, changes in sleep and behavior, problems with physical movement, and even hallucinations.
Doctors use patient history, examination, and possibly blood tests and brain scans to rule out other causes of dementia. LBD cannot be diagnosed with absolute certainty except through an autopsy, so any diagnosis is “probable.”
