Lewy Body Dementia: Information for Patients, Families, and Professionals (Revised June 2018)

Lewy Body Dementia: Information for Patients, Families, and Professionals (Revised June 2018)Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex and challenging brain disorder. It is complex because it affects many parts of the brain in ways that scientists are trying to understand more fully. It is challenging because its many possible symptoms make it hard to do everyday tasks that once came easily. Although less known than its cousins Alzheimers disease and Parkinsons disease, LBD is not a rare disorder. More than 1 million Americans, most of them older

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex and challenging brain disorder. It is complex because it affects many parts of the brain in ways that scientists are trying to understand more fully. It is challenging because its many possible symptoms make it hard to do everyday tasks that once came easily. Although less known than its ÒcousinsÓ AlzheimerÕs disease and ParkinsonÕs disease, LBD is not a rare disorder. More than 1 million Americans, most of them older adults, are affected by its disabling changes in the ability to think and move. As researchers seek better ways to treat LBDÑand ultimately to find a cureÑpeople with LBD and their families struggle to get an accurate diagnosis, find the best treatment, and manage at home.