Colin’s story: diagnosis
Watch Prof Robert Howard and Dr Jon Schott describe the main features of DLB and the process of diagnosis. We also hear from Colin and Gill about their journey to diagnosis.
The three features that differentiate dementia with Lewy bodies from other forms of dementia are:
- Fluctuations – day-to-day changes in symptoms are common in dementia, but in DLB fluctuations can happen over a period of hours or minutes.
- Hallucinations – people with DLB may see things that aren’t there, this might be people or animals, which are often silent.
- Parkinsonism – motor features including tremor, limb rigidity (stiffness) and slow movement
Dr Schott also mentions some aspects of treatments for dementia with Lewy bodies, particularly the possible adverse effects of anti-psychotic medication, and potential benefit of anti acetylcholine receptor drugs. Later in the week we’ll look in more detail at the symptoms of DLB, and the drug treatments that may be used.
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