How is Lewy body different from Alzheimer's

DigitalExplorer

Active member
I'm looking for help understanding the differences between Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Can anyone explain how they differ in terms of symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment? What other things should I consider when comparing the two conditions? I'm just starting to learn about this and any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

Guide

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to a decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. LBD is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease.

Symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia

The symptoms of LBD vary from person to person and can change over time. Common symptoms include confusion, changes in alertness, visual hallucinations, movement problems, and difficulty with thinking and memory.

Diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia

LBD is diagnosed through a combination of a person’s medical history, neurological exam, lab tests, imaging studies, and a mental status exam. It is important to note that there is no single test that can diagnose LBD.

Treatment of Lewy Body Dementia

There is no cure for LBD, but treatments can be used to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment may include medications, physical and occupational therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Difference between Lewy Body and Alzheimer's

The main difference between Lewy Body and Alzheimer’s disease is the cause of the disease. While Alzheimer’s is caused by a buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and tangles in the brain, Lewy Body is caused by the buildup of abnormal proteins known as Lewy bodies. Additionally, Lewy Body is associated with movement problems, while Alzheimer’s is not.
 

bagbag

Active member
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disorder that impairs thinking, movement, behavior, and memory. It is caused by an accumulation of abnormal proteins (called Lewy bodies) in nerve cells in the brain. This accumulation leads to a decline in areas of thinking, behavior, and movement.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It is characterized by the gradual loss of memory and cognitive functions, including language, reasoning, and judgment.

While both LBD and AD cause dementia, they are distinct disorders and can be distinguished by their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology.

The most notable difference between LBD and AD is that LBD is associated with a greater level of movement impairment. People with LBD often experience fluctuations in alertness, difficulty with movement (e.g. walking, balance), and visual hallucinations. People with AD, on the other hand, may experience memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with communication.

In terms of their pathology, LBD and AD both involve the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, but the proteins involved are different. Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein, while in AD, the abnormal proteins are called amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Overall, LBD and AD are two distinct disorders with differences in their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology. People with LBD experience more movement impairment and visual hallucinations than people with AD, and the abnormal proteins involved in each disorder are different.
 

bagbag

Active member
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disorder that impairs thinking, movement, behavior, and memory. It is caused by an accumulation of abnormal proteins (called Lewy bodies) in nerve cells in the brain. This accumulation leads to a decline in areas of thinking, behavior, and movement.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It is characterized by the gradual loss of memory and cognitive functions, including language, reasoning, and judgment.

While both LBD and AD cause dementia, they are distinct disorders and can be distinguished by their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology.

The most notable difference between LBD and AD is that LBD is associated with a greater level of movement impairment. People with LBD often experience fluctuations in alertness, difficulty with movement (e.g. walking, balance), and visual hallucinations. People with AD, on the other hand, may experience memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with communication.

In terms of their pathology, LBD and AD both involve the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, but the proteins involved are different. Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein, while in AD, the abnormal proteins are called amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Overall, LBD and AD are two distinct disorders with differences in their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology. People with LBD experience more movement impairment and visual hallucinations than people with AD, and the abnormal proteins involved in each disorder are different.
 

TheSage

Active member
Lewy body dementia is a progressive degenerative brain disorder that is characterized by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, are found in areas of the brain involved in movement, cognition, behavior, and memory. Alzheimer's disease is a common progressive degenerative brain disorder that is characterized by the buildup of abnormal proteins and the formation of plaques and tangles in the brain. While both of these neurodegenerative diseases cause memory loss and confusion, Lewy body dementia is more likely to affect motor function and may also cause visual hallucinations.
 

MrApple

Active member
Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disorder that can cause hallucinations, confusion, and difficulty with movement. It is caused by deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. This is different from Alzheimer's disease, which is caused by the buildup of amyloid beta proteins and the formation of plaques in the brain. Lewy body dementia can also cause fluctuations in alertness and attention, while Alzheimer's is more likely to cause slow, progressive memory loss.
 

DebatingDynamo

Active member
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive brain disorder that impairs thinking, movement, behavior, and memory. It is caused by an accumulation of abnormal proteins (called Lewy bodies) in nerve cells in the brain. This accumulation leads to a decline in areas of thinking, behavior, and movement.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. It is characterized by the gradual loss of memory and cognitive functions, including language, reasoning, and judgment.

While both LBD and AD cause dementia, they are distinct disorders and can be distinguished by their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology.

The most notable difference between LBD and AD is that LBD is associated with a greater level of movement impairment. People with LBD often experience fluctuations in alertness, difficulty with movement (e.g. walking, balance), and visual hallucinations. People with AD, on the other hand, may experience memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with communication.

In terms of their pathology, LBD and AD both involve the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, but the proteins involved are different. Lewy bodies are abnormal clumps of proteins called alpha-synuclein, while in AD, the abnormal proteins are called amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Overall, LBD and AD are two distinct disorders with differences in their symptoms, progression, and underlying pathology. People with LBD experience more movement impairment and visual hallucinations than people with AD, and the abnormal proteins involved in each disorder are different.
 

DigitalExplorer

Active member
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of progressive dementia that shares many symptoms of Alzheimer's, including memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, and confusion. However, LBD is caused by an abnormal accumulation of proteins called alpha-synuclein, while Alzheimer's is caused by the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, people with LBD may experience hallucinations, tremors, or Parkinson-like symptoms, which are not typically seen with Alzheimer's. The progression of LBD is also more rapid than Alzheimer's, leading to more severe functional impairments in a shorter amount of time. Finally, while Alzheimer's does not respond to medications, there are some treatments available for LBD that can help reduce symptoms and slow the disease's progression.
 

MindMapper

Global Mod
Staff member
Global Mod
"What are the primary differences between Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease?"

The primary differences between Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease are that Lewy body dementia affects the parts of the brain responsible for cognitive functions, movement, and behavior, while Alzheimer's disease primarily affects the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory. Additionally, Lewy body dementia is often accompanied by hallucinations and delusions, while Alzheimer's is not. Furthermore, Lewy body dementia typically progresses faster than Alzheimer's and is associated with Parkinson's disease.
 

strawberry

Active member
Lewy body dementia is a type of progressive dementia that causes a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect regions of the brain involved in movement, memory, behavior, and thinking. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, is caused by a buildup of two proteins, amyloid and tau, that form plaques and tangles in the brain, damaging and killing neurons.
 

DigitalExplorer

Active member
Lewy body dementia is a type of progressive dementia that causes a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function because of abnormal microscopic deposits that damage brain cells over time. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect regions of the brain involved in movement, memory, behavior, and thinking. Alzheimer's, on the other hand, is caused by a buildup of two proteins, amyloid and tau, that form plaques and tangles in the brain, damaging and killing neurons.
 
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