Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia - Common Traits and Differences

We already understand that Alzheimer's and other assorted dementias are different from Lewy Body Dementia.  If you recall, Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) is caused by the misfolding of the brain along with Tau Proteins and Beta Amyloid Proteins.    Thus begins the deterioration of Speech, Cognition, along with other traits.

Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's Disease (LBD and PD, respectively) are caused by misfolding of the brain along with the presence of alpha-synucleic acids.   Thus, treatment for these two diseases require other medications than for AD, and the reactions to the medications will be harmful - the LBD patient could suffer severe trauma from regular AD medications, so it's best to know and understand what form of dementia you are dealing with (this is why it is greatly recommended you have both a knowledgeable neurologist and doctor on board).  

But many times LBD sufferers are diagnosed with PD first, and later are diagnosed with PDD (Parkinson's Disease Dementia).  In my family, I had an uncle diagnosed with PD and later it would appear he began suffering from some form of PDD.  Then, Mom and her cousin were both diagnosed with LBD - both women (which is not common, as LBD is seen primarily afflicting the male of the species).

Also understanding that either of these diagnoses could be genetic, I began to wonder what the actual differences were.  After all, we see Michael J. Fox who is suffering from PD and continues to perform.  But had he been diagnosed with LBD how would he have fared?

So, what is the basic difference?  From reading, this is what I have come to understand:

With PD, the Lewy Bodies affect the brain cells in the basal ganglia and substantia nigra, which are located deep within the brain.   Herein the cells send dopamine to the nerve cells which control movement and coordination.  As these cells die, the messages of dopamine become confused and weak.  The Lewy Bodies attach the brain from within and begin their assault outwardly.

With LBD, the Lewy Bodies cover the cerebral cortex of the brain and begin hindering cognition, thinking, loss of judgment and other symptoms, located below.    Here, too, the messages of dopamine are also garbled, and as the brain begins to shrink and deteriorate, more and more attributes of the disease become clearer.

Of course, LBD tends to also have PD-like symptoms, as well, with movement - including, but not limited to: tremors, shaking, balance problems, coordination issues, etc.   But the shrinkage begins on the outer part of the brain while there may also be Lewy Bodies present in the deeper cells of the brian, as well.

According to the website Barrow Neurological Institute, the following are the symptoms of both LBD and PD:

LBD:

• slow thinking
• memory loss
• difficulty with learning and abstract thinking
• fluctuating course
• visual hallucinations
• sensitivity to some medications
• physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

PD:

• slow thinking
• memory loss (usually less severe than in Alzheimer’s disease)
• difficulty performing familiar tasks (driving, handling finances, etc.)
• difficulty with learning and abstract thinking
• poor judgment
• loss of initiative
• changes in personality
• changes in mood and behavior
• physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

As you can tell, there are similarities, but with LBD (although the list seems shorter) there are more symptoms.

With Mom, all these symptoms are present, but the coordination elements are a bit stalled, as they tend to develop slowly (or so we hope), but there is tremoring at intervals.  She has physical therapy each day which may be keeping these elements at bay.

There is always the chance, too, that PD will become PDD (which is the same as LBD, but with the Parkinson's diagnosed first), but with technology advancing on dementia, how soon will we be able to live longer, fuller lives with the conditions - or is that an ethical question?