Lewy-Body Dementia Flashcards
1
Q
What is Lewy Body Dementia?
A
Progressive decline in neurological function, characterised by pathology of Lewy Bodies in the substantia nigra, paralimbic and neocortical areas
2
Q
What are lewy-bodies?
A
Alpha-synuclein cytoplasmic inclusions
3
Q
What are the risk factors for LB dementia?
A
- Older age
- Family History
4
Q
How does LB dementia present?
A
- Progressive cognitive impairment (impairments in attention and executive function rather than just memory loss)
- Fluctuating cognition (contracts to other dementias)
- Parkinsonism
- Visual hallucinations
5
Q
How should LB dementia be investigated?
A
- Full screen including FBC, TFTS, B12
- CT/MRI head to exclude other pathology, signs may not be seen in early DLB but will show general cortical atrophy
- SPECT/PET scan used increasingly to identify LB dementia
6
Q
How is LB dementia managed?
A
1st line: Cholinesterase inhibitors: Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine
2nd line: Memantine
7
Q
What drugs should be avoided in those with LB dementia?
A
Antipsychotics (make Parkinsonism worse)
