Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)

Thursday, March 29, 2012


Dementia is a decline in mental ability that usually develops slowly, where there is disruption of memory, thought, judgment and ability to focus, and personality deterioration can occur.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies Criteria
At a young age, dementia can happen suddenly if severe injury, disease or toxic substances (eg carbon monoxide) lead to the destruction of brain cells. However, dementia usually develops slowly and attacked the age of 60. However, dementia is not part of the normal aging process. Along with advancing age, changes in the brain may cause some loss of memory (especially short-term memory) and a decrease in some of the skills learned. These changes do not affect the normal function.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is found in the area of damage nerve cells in several parts of the brain. Associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Marked by trembling hands, memory loss is acute, rigid muscles, and walked with dragging feet. However, it can not be sure whether any research with Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia or Alzheimer's disease or a variation of Parkinson's.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies Treatment
Most cases of dementia can not be cured. Takrin medicine helps patients with Alzheimer's disease, but cause serious side effects.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies Diagnosis
Diagnosis of dementia is established based on a thorough assessment, taking into account patient age, family history, the beginning and development of symptoms and the presence of other diseases (such as high blood pressure or diabetes).

Standard blood chemistry examination.
CT scan and MRI examination intended to determine the presence of tumors, hydrocephalus, or stroke. If it occurs at an advanced age memory decline is gradual, it is thought to cause Alzheimer's disease. Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is proven only if performed an autopsy on the brain, which shows the number of nerve cells are lost. The remaining cells appear disorganized and scattered throughout the brain tissue is made ​​up of amyloid plaques (abnormal protein). Diagnostic methods used to diagnose this disease is an examination of the lumbar puncture and PET (positron emission tomography), which is a specific examination of brain skening.

See another Deseases for Atherosclerotic Heart Disease and Progeria Disease in previous posts.