Parkinson's Disease Dementia

FACTS

• Parkinson’s disease dementia is also known as Lewy body dementia.
• Lewy bodies are abnormal deposits of protein found in the outer layers of the brain and deep inside the midbrain and brainstem.
• This is the third most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
• 1.3 million people in the United States have Parkinson’s disease dementia.
• Motor and dementia symptoms usually occur within one year of each other.

SYMPTOMS

• Progressive decline in memory and ability to think
• Difficulty interpreting visual information
• Fluctuating alertness and symptoms from moment to moment and day to day
• Delusions and vivid, visual hallucinations which are generally not frightening
• Problems with movement resembling Parkinson’s disease such as shuffling gait, balance difficulties, tremor, muscle stiffness, and slow movement
• Frequent falls
• Sleep disorder with vivid dreams and excessive movement while sleeping
• Daytime drowsiness

RISK FACTORS

• No known cause or risk factors
• Age at diagnosis usually 50-85 years old
• Worsening of symptoms may be seen after anesthesia

DIAGNOSIS

• It can be difficult to diagnose because Parkinson’s disease dementia symptoms are similar to Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

TREATMENT

• Memory medication may be used to help brain cells communicate with each other.
• Read the website document Memory Medications for more information.
• Patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia may have increased risk of side effects from medications.