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Memory Disorders Division

Wang Ambulatory Care Center
15 Parkman Street
8th Floor, Suite 835
Boston, MA  02114

Phone: 617-726-1728
Fax: 617-726-4101

Explore This Condition

Dementia with Lewy bodies is a form of cognitive decline that shares some symptoms with both Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. It's a progressive condition, meaning that over time, the symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies get worse.

At Massachusetts General Hospital, our memory disorders team provides comprehensive care for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Our dedicated team of specialists offers advanced treatments and personalized support to help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. We are here to support you and your family every step of the way.

Learn about our Memory Disorders Division

What Is Dementia with Lewy Bodies?

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a group of cognitive decline symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, poor judgment, and personality changes. It can be caused by many different memory disorders.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease. It occurs when protein deposits called Lewy bodies form in the brain. The Lewy bodies disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells, resulting in an array of neurological symptoms related to sleep, movement, personality, and cognitive abilities.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies vs. Lewy Body Dementia

The terms Lewy body dementia (LBD) and dementia with Lewy bodies are often used interchangeably, but DLB is actually just one type of LBD. LBD is a broader term that includes both DLB and Parkinson’s disease dementia. DLB is a progressive dementia where cognitive impairment is the earliest and most prominent symptom, often accompanied by movement issues, hallucinations, and fluctuating alertness.

Symptoms of Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies symptoms often resemble a combination of Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. Common signs and symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies include:

  • Cognitive decline: Memory loss, confusion, loss of problem-solving skills, and trouble concentrating or paying attention are the most common symptoms of DLB.
  • Movement problems: It's common for dementia with Lewy bodies to cause tremors, trouble walking, and muscle stiffness, much like Parkinson's disease. Falls are a serious risk for people with DLB.
  • Mood and personality changes: Dementia with Lewy bodies can cause symptoms such as depression, paranoia, delusions, and lack of motivation.
  • Hallucinations: People with DLB experience visual hallucinations that may also involve other senses, such as sound, smell, or touch.
  • Autonomic nervous system disorder: The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary functions like heartbeat, digestion, and blood pressure. As DLB progresses, you may have high or low blood pressure, dizziness, or trouble with bowel and bladder control.
  • Sleep disorders: Many people with DLB show signs of REM sleep behavior disorder, in which they act out their dreams while they sleep. People with DLB can also experience insomnia, interrupted sleep, and excessive daytime fatigue.

Learn about its diagnosis and treatment

What Are the First Signs of Dementia with Lewy Bodies?

The earliest and most prominent symptom of DLB is cognitive impairment. However, some people may first experience sleep disturbanes, such as REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), even before cognitive symptoms appear.

What Causes Dementia with Lewy Bodies?

Experts know that DLB is caused by a build-up of protein deposits called Lewy bodies, but they don't understand what causes some people to develop Lewy bodies while other people don’t.

The current understanding is that the cause of dementia with Lewy bodies is a mix of factors including genetics and environmental factors.

Is Dementia with Lewy Bodies Hereditary?

Most cases of dementia with Lewy bodies likely aren't hereditary. Several gene mutations are associated with DLB. However, experts believe that while these mutations raise your chance of developing the condition, they don't cause it directly in the way that a specific, heritable mutation causes Huntington's disease, for example.

FAQs About Dementia with Lewy Bodies

At what age does dementia with Lewy bodies start?

Most people are over age 50 when they start showing signs of dementia with Lewy bodies.

Who is at high risk for dementia with Lewy bodies?

Age is the most significant risk factor for DLB. Other risk factors include:

  • Specific genetic mutations
  • Family history of DLB or related conditions
  • Being male – DLB is more common in men than in women, though the reason for this is not well understood
What is the root cause of dementia with Lewy bodies?

Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by protein deposits in the brain, called “Lewy bodies,” but experts don't understand why some people develop these deposits while others don't.

How can you prevent dementia with Lewy bodies?

Currently, we don't know of any way to prevent or cure DLB. However, maintaining a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, getting enough exercise, and staying mentally and socially active can reduce your risk of dementia, in general.

Can stress cause dementia with Lewy bodies?

It's hard to evaluate. Many of the symptoms associated with DLB (such as disordered sleep and depression) are also associated with stress. As a result, it's difficult to determine cause-and-effect relationships.