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What is Parkinsonism?

Dementia with Lewy bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies is a disease that leads to the deposit of alpha-synuclein proteins [2] in the brain. These proteins are also known as Lewy bodies.

Abnormal build-up of these chemicals can cause changes in one’s movement, mood, behavior, and cognitive ability.

Lewy body dementia is seen to occur in more than 1 million Americans. It is more common in adults over 50 and can progress for 2 to 20 years leading to death.

Symptoms

Movement symptoms include:

  • Tremors
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Shuffling walk
  • Stooped posture
  • Trouble balancing
  • Poor coordination
  • Difficulty swallowing

Cognitive symptoms can include:

  • Hallucination
  • Unpredictable alertness, attention, and wakefulness
  • Memory problems
  • Loss of thinking abilities
  • Poor judgment
  • Mood and behavioral changes
  • Confusion