Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson Disease Dementia: It is the Same Disease

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders 2018-01, Vol.46, p.S6-S9
• Main Author: Friedman, Joseph H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biomedical Research - methods; Dementia with Lewy bodies; Dementia with Lewy bodies disease progression; Disease classification; Humans; Lewy Body Disease - complications; Lewy Body Disease - diagnosis; Lewy Body Disease - therapy; Parkinson Disease - complications; Parkinson Disease - diagnosis; Parkinson Disease - therapy; Parkinson's disease dementia; Parkinson's disease progression
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2017.07.013

The question whether DLB and PDD are distinct disorders has been debated in several forums. The two disorders, once parkinsonism is present in DLB, cannot be distinguished on clinical or pathological grounds. The conundrum exists for those DLB patients who do not yet have parkinsonism, and raises the parallel with patients who have Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder but have not yet manifested parkinsonian signs. A literature review was summarized to justify classification as a single disorder. Most clinical observations and trials point to these disorders, once parkinsonism is present in DLB, are identical. This article notes the advantage to clinical research and treatment by considering these two syndromes as the same so that medications approved for PDD and for PD psychosis can be extended to DLB patients and that resources for PD research and support can be also used for DLB.