A degenerative neurological disease, dementia with Lewy bodies accounts for 20 percent of dementia cases in the United States, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. Patients with this type of dementia have abnormal structures called Lewy bodies growing in their brains. Symptoms include movement problems, such as rigidity and shuffling gait. Patients can also have problems with memory and may have hallucinations and delusions. Although no cure exists for dementia with Lewy bodies, treatments are available to help patients control their symptoms.
Dopamine-Affecting Medications
Patients who have dementia with Lewy bodies have symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder caused by the destruction of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is a substance in the brain that transmits nerve impulses. Arthur Schoenstadt, M.D., author of the eMedTV article “Lewy Body Dementia,” explains that patients with dementia with Lewy bodies can take Parkinson's disease medications. For example, patients may take levadopa, a medication that the body converts into dopamine in the brain. Patients taking levadopa may also take carbidopa, which prevents levadopa from converting into dopamine too quickly. Another medication option includes dopamine agonists, which act like dopamine and cause the brain to act as if dopamine itself were present. Dopamine agonists include bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole and ropinirole. These medications have side effects such as hallucinations, delusions and increased confusion.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
The Mayo Clinic explains that dementia with Lewy bodies patients may receive cholinesterase inhibitors, a type of medication used to treat Alzheimer's disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, leaving more of it available for the brain to use. Increasing acetylcholine levels helps dementia with Lewy bodies patients with thinking, memory and judgment. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors include tacrine, galantamine, donepezil and rivastigmine.
Antipsychotic Medications
Because dementia with Lewy bodies causes patients to have psychotic symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, patients may take antipsychotic medications. Schoenstadt lists clozapine and olanzapine as possible antipsychotic medications for dementia with Lewy bodies. These medications work by blocking the receptors of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. By blocking the receptors, the medication causes the affected neurotransmitter to stay in the brain longer. The Mayo Clinic points out that one-third of patients have sensitivity to these drugs, resulting in problems such as severe Parkinson's disease-like symptoms.
Lifestyle Modifications
The Mayo Clinic explains that patients can make modifications to their daily activities that may help with symptoms. For example, reducing clutter and distraction in the patient's home can help him focus on tasks. If patients have problems carrying out tasks, they can organize them into steps, which should make tasks easier for them to complete. Lifestyle modification can also include changes that patients' caretakers can make. For example, caregivers should avoid correcting or quizzing patients when they make mistakes, as these actions may worsen the behavioral symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies.
