3.10.5 Lewy body diseases including Parkinson’s disease

3.10.5 Lewy body diseases including Parkinson’s disease

Lewy Body Diseases Including Parkinson’s Disease

Lewy body diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders that are characterized by the presence of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain. The two most common forms of Lewy body disease are Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies (LBD).

Lewy bodies disorders can be classified as either:

In Parkinson’s disease, Lewy bodies are primarily found in the substantia nigra, a region of the brain that plays a key role in the regulation of movement. The accumulation of Lewy bodies in this region leads to the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, resulting in the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination and balance.

In LBD, Lewy bodies are found in various regions of the brain, including the cortex, basal ganglia, and brainstem. The presence of Lewy bodies in these regions can lead to a decline in cognitive function, including memory loss and problems with attention, as well as visual hallucinations and fluctuations in alertness.

The exact cause of Lewy body disease is not well understood, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. There is currently no cure for Lewy body disease, but various treatments and therapies are available to help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

In conclusion, Lewy body diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the presence of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain, which can result in a decline in movement or cognitive function. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying causes of Lewy body diseases and to develop more effective treatments and therapies (Walker, 2015).

According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, there are around 1 million cases of Parkinson’s disease in the United Kingdom, and by 2030 it is expected that figure to reach 1.2 million. Parkinson’s disease is 1.5 times more likely to affect men than women.

Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites contain alpha-synuclein. They are highlighted by synuclein immunostain.

Important to note is that all Lewy body dementias are synucleinopathies.

Symptoms:

The LBDs / synucleinopathies are characterized by shared features of parkinsonism motor symptoms, neuropsychiatric symptoms, impaired cognition, sleep disorders, and visual hallucinations (McKeith, 2017).

Parkinson’s disease creeps up slowly over many years, and each person’s symptoms may vary. A person may feel the following signs:

  • When a person is at rest, a tremor or shaking is typically referred to as a “pill-rolling” tremor.
  • Bradykinesia, also known as delayed movement or freezing when moving, is rigidity in the limbs.
  • Difficulties walking and balancing

References:

(1) Walker Z, Possin KL, Boeve BF, Aarsland D (October 2015). “Lewy body dementias”. Lancet (Review). 386 (10004): 1683–97.

(2) McKeith, I.G., Boeve, B.F., Dickson, D.W., Halliday, G., Taylor, J.-P., Weintraub, D., Aarsland, D., Galvin, J., Attems, J., Ballard, C.G., Bayston, A., Beach, T.G., Blanc, F., Bohnen, N., Bonanni, L., Bras, J., Brundin, P., Burn, D., Chen-Plotkin, A. and Duda, J.E. (2017). Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies. Neurology, [online] 89(1), pp.88–100.