Definition: A neurodegenerative disease characterized by dementia, mild parkinsonism, and fluctuations in attention and alertness. The neuropsychiatric manifestations tend to precede the onset of bradykinesia, MUSCLE RIGIDITY, and other extrapyramidal signs. DELUSIONS and visual HALLUCINATIONS are relatively frequent in this condition. Histologic examination reveals LEWY BODIES in the CEREBRAL CORTEX and BRAIN STEM. SENILE PLAQUES and other pathologic features characteristic of ALZHEIMER DISEASE may also be present. (From Neurology 1997;48:376-380; Neurology 1996;47:1113-1124)
LEWY BODY PARKINSON DISEASE see PARKINSON DISEASE is also available
See AlsoLewy Bodies
Other names Lewy Body Dementia; Lewy Body Type Senile Dementia; Lewy Body Disease, Diffuse; Lewy Body Disease, Cortical; Cortical Lewy Body Disease; Diffuse Lewy Body Disease; Dementia, Lewy Body
