The pathophysiology and treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies: An overview

Abstract

Kosaka in Japan first identified dementia with Lewy bodies as a distinct form of dementia in 1990. It has been known by a variety of names such as diffuse Lewy body disease, Lewy body dementia, Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia of the Lewy body type. It is now thought by many to be the second most common form of dementia affecting those over 65 years of age, although it shares many features with other forms of dementia and is sometimes difficult to differentiate clinically or diagnostically. This paper is an overview of the pathophysiology of the disease and diagnostic criteria. Current treatment options are identified and the case of James, a 65-year-old man who presented with the disease, is reviewed.