Definition:
A type of dementia characterized by at least two of the following three symptoms. 1) A waxing and waning level of consciousness; 2) visual hallucinations and 3) movements typical of parkinsonism.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of dementia, behind Alzheimer disease. It accounts for approximately 20% of all dementia cases in the United States. Lewy body refers specifically to small deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein, which can be found in the brains of those with this disease.
Source:
Bradley G Walter, Daroff B Robert, Fenichel M Gerald, Jancovic, Joseph Neurology in clinical practice, principles of diagnosis and management. Fourth Edition, Philadelphia Elsevier, 2004.
Also Known As: dementia with Lewi bodies
