eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Behavioral Neurology and Dementia

Dementia With Lewy Bodies: Follow-up

Author: Howard A Crystal, MD, Professor, Departments of Neurology and Pathology, State University of New York Downstate; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Kings County Hospital Center
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Dec 10, 2008

Follow-up

Deterrence/Prevention

Data are not available on deterrence or prevention of this condition.

Prognosis

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a disorder of inexorable progression.
  • The rate of progression varies, and some investigators think that progression is faster than that of Alzheimer's disease.
  • Patients eventually die from complications of immobility, poor nutrition, and swallowing difficulties.

Patient Education

  • Primary caregivers need information about the course of the disease and the management of symptoms such as agitation, hallucinations, and cognitive fluctuations.
  • Family members and physicians may mistake fluctuations for transient ischemic attacks.
  • Information concerning issues such as daycare and home health aides can be useful.
  • Children of patients with DLB may request information concerning genetic risks or neuroprotective treatment regimens.
  • For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Dementia Center. In addition, see eMedicine's patient education articles Dementia Overview, Dementia With Lewy Bodies, and Dementia Medication Overview.

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Family members should be made aware that DLB eventually affects job performance.
  • Depending on the patient's occupation and level of dysfunction, medical leave of absence or early retirement may be advised.
  • Driving privileges need to be addressed by the patient, family, caregivers, primary care physician, and neurologist.
 


More on Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Overview: Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Treatment & Medication: Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Follow-up: Dementia With Lewy Bodies
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

Lewy body dementia, DLB, LB, Lewy body variant of Alzheimer disease, diffuse Lewy body disease, senile dementia of the Lewy body type, idiopathic Parkinson disease, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson disease with dementia, PD with dementia, parkinsonian dementias, Alzheimer disease, Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, dementia with LBs, progressive degenerative dementia, nonvisual hallucinations, neuroleptic sensitivity, unexplained syncope, delusions, rapid eye movement sleep disorder, myoclonus, apolipoprotein genotype E subtype 4, apoE4 genotype

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Howard A Crystal, MD, Professor, Departments of Neurology and Pathology, State University of New York Downstate; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Kings County Hospital Center
Howard A Crystal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Neurological Association
Disclosure: Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Myriad Honoraria Consulting

Medical Editor

Robert A Hauser, MD, MBA, Professor of Neurology, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Director, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, University of South Florida; Clinical Chair, Signature Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience
Robert A Hauser, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Medical Association, American Society of Neuroimaging, and Movement Disorders Society
Disclosure: Allergan Sales, LLC Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Bayer Shering Pharma AG Honoraria Consulting; Boehringer Ingelheim France Honoraria Consulting; Centapharm Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Corporation Honoraria Consulting; GlaxoSmithKline Honoraria Consulting; IMPAX Laboratories, Inc.  Consulting; Kyowa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Honoraria Consulting; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. Honoraria Consulting; Prestwick Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Honoraria Consulting

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Richard J Caselli, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Mayo Medical School, Rochester, MN; Chair, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic of Scottsdale
Richard J Caselli, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, American Neurological Association, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Matthew J Baker, MD, Consulting Staff, Collier Neurologic Specialists, Naples Community Hospital
Matthew J Baker, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Helmi L Lutsep, MD, Professor, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University; Associate Director, Oregon Stroke Center
Helmi L Lutsep, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Stroke Association
Disclosure: Co-Axia Consulting fee Review panel membership; Talecris Consulting fee Review panel membership; AGA Medical Consulting fee Review panel membership; Boehringer Ingelheim Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Boston Scientific Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Concentric Medical None Review panel membership; Northstar Neuroscience  Review panel membership; ev3 Consulting fee Review panel membership

 
 
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