Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's disease can be hard to differentiate from one another. We understand how difficult it is to manage LBD and Alzheimer's. Since there is no complete therapy at this time, they are even more concerning. Visit us for more information.

1. Alnicor Consulting

2. Lewy Body Dementia vs. Alzheimer's: A Quick
Comparison
There may be misunderstanding among individuals because Lewy body dementia
(LBD) and Alzheimer's share some symptoms. But it is true that both of these
illnesses are very prevalent, and a person with either of them may notice differences
in how their brain functions. Symptoms like physical, behavioural, or cognitive
alterations can be present as a result of these changes.
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
It is a condition where abnormal protein deposits can be seen in the brain. Alpha-
synuclein is a unique protein, and Lewy bodies are the aggregates that it forms. They
alter the molecules in the brain, which can further cause problems with thinking,
acting, feeling, and moving. Dementia is often brought on by LBD.
LBD typically affects older persons and affects over a million people in the US. It is
uncommon to see it in children, but that doesn't mean it can't happen to them.
Additionally, LBD does not shield the brain from developing other conditions.

3. This illness progresses, which means it begins gradually and grows worse
over time. Early signs are typically minor, and at this point, people can
still go about their daily lives normally. Later phases may be more severe
and impair a person's capacity for thought and movement. They eventually
have to depend on others for their care and support.
Alzheimer’s Disease
It is a neurological condition that can prevent one's memory and thought
processes from operating normally. Eventually, the patient won't be able
to perform even the most fundamental tasks or activities. Usually, it can
happen at any stage of existence. Both early and late onset signs apply to
these. The disease is more prevalent in older adults (60 years of age or
older) who exhibit late-onset symptoms. People between the ages of 30
and 60 can experience early starts, which is extremely uncommon.
Alzheimer's disease is named for Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He was the first to
identify the alterations in brain structure brought on by an unusual mental
disorder. She displayed memory loss, speech issues, and unpredictable
behaviour. When he examined her brain, he discovered odd clusters and
tangled fibre bundles. These are some of the characteristics of Alzheimer's
that are still prevalent today.

4. Is There a Connection Between Alzheimer's Disease
and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)?
Lewy body dementia vs Alzheimer's disease are prevalent forms of dementia that
can impair anyone's brain functioning. However, there are minor variations in
the symptoms, the age at which they first appear, the underlying reasons, etc.
Using the following characteristics, let's analyse the differences.
Causes:
There isn't a known reason for LBD as of yet. Genetic, environmental, or lifestyle
variables can all contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Both of these conditions are
typical in older individuals, but LBD carries a risk of cardiovascular disease, head
injury, and REM sleep disorders, whereas Alzheimer's carries a risk of these
conditions and others.

5. Symptoms:
LBD can alter a person's way of thinking and reasoning, as well as cause
different levels of confusion and alertness throughout the day. In addition, the
patient may have dreams and develop delusions. Your slumber may also be
disturbed.
Patients with Alzheimer's frequently ask the same questions, and the disease
can result in memory loss that is worse than LBD. While the patient is
roaming, there is a high likelihood of losing sight of them. Since memory loss
is more common, it is easier to lose things. Additionally, mood or personality
shifts are visible. Other typical signs of Alzheimer's disease include anxiety,
hostility, and trouble making decisions.
Initial Age:
LBD typically manifests between the ages of 50 and 85, whereas Alzheimer's
typically manifests between the ages of 60 and 70. Also sooner is possible.

6. Treatment:
Although there is no cure for LBD, lifestyle modifications, medication, and
therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the disease's progression. The
same holds true for Alzheimer's disease.
Diagnosis Of LBD And Alzheimer’s
Before making a diagnosis for LBD and Alzheimer's, physicians typically look
for early warning signs and symptoms. They would be on the lookout for
behavioural changes, a progressive decline in cognitive function, difficulties
carrying out everyday tasks, issues with spatial thinking and reasoning, etc.
They proceed to diagnose the problem after verifying the situation and
determining the initial symptoms. There are several methods to diagnose LBD
and Alzheimer's.

7. LBD Diagnosis
It's important to understand that Lewy body dementia cannot be diagnosed
with a single test. For the most part, a diagnosis is made based on the
indications and symptoms. In addition, the physician can make a note of any
additional medical conditions that may present with comparable signs and
symptoms. A determination could be made using the following tests:
Examination of mental and physical health
The doctor can examine you for tumours, Parkinson's disease, or any other illness
that might have an impact on how your body and brain work. These tests look for
issues with walking straight or keeping balance, slowing of reflexes, changes in
body strength, etc., and then provide results following a thorough examination.

8. Mental evaluation
These tests don't require a particular location and last for about 10-15 minutes.
Doctors evaluate a patient's mental capacity by asking them to ponder and
reason. However, since this test only detects cognitive impairment, it typically
cannot differentiate between LBD and Alzheimer's. Longer tests may be useful
for detecting LBD.
Brain Scans
A CT or MRI scan can be recommended by the doctor in order to rule out the
potential of a tumour or to assist in recognising a stroke. Even though
clinicians mostly rely on physical examinations and medical histories to make
the diagnosis of dementia, some imaging tests can help identify the specific
type. It could be LBD or Alzheimer's.
The doctor may also suggest additional imaging studies to help detect Lewy
body dementia if the diagnosis is unclear. These extra examinations may include
single-photon emission computerised tomography or a fluorodeoxyglucose PET
brain scan.

9. Sleep Check
The doctor may advise a sleep evaluation to check for REM sleep problems. The
examination is called a polysomnogram.
Alzheimer's disease can be identified in a variety of ways. An examination by a
doctor can frequently aid in identification. In order to better comprehend the
situation, the doctor may also encourage friends or family members to adjust
their behaviour. Following that, they proceed with the diagnosis, utilising the
following tests:
Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Using a mental health assessment, doctors can determine the disorder. Your
memory and cognitive abilities will be evaluated through the tests that they
administer. The results of these exams are then used to grade how well the
brain is functioning.
Testing Mental Status

10. Neuropsychological Tests
The purpose of these tests is to evaluate a person's cerebral and cognitive
abilities. They are much more in-depth and contain numerous exams that
assess memory and cognitive abilities. The ability of your brain to operate
normally can be ascertained by doctors, who can also inform you of the
tasks that patients are still capable of performing.
Depression may also be identified as a contributing factor to the
symptoms in these evaluations
Lab Tests
Many laboratory tests are available to help rule out symptoms of other
diseases that are comparable to Alzheimer's, such as thyroid problems or a
vitamin B-12 deficiency. Cerebrospinal fluid tests may also be suggested by
the physician to aid in the evaluation. It counts the amount of tau and
amyloid proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid. The amount of these proteins
can aid in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

11. Brain Imaging Tests
Brain scans of different types can show the degeneration of brain cells
brought on by Alzheimer's. Brain images, however, might not be sufficient
on their own to identify the illness. This is due to the possibility that scan
data may overlap with what medical professionals perceive to be a typical
age-related change.
Brain imaging can be useful in this situation because it can rule out
similar causes and differentiate between different kinds of brain diseases.
Several of the tools that are on hand for brain imaging include:
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Computerized Tomography (CT)
• Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

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