By: Marie Jen Galilo, Sports and Science Editor
October is Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month, but what is Lewy body dementia?
According to the National Institute of Health, “Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities.” Other types of dementia include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, young-onset dementia, and mixed dementia. According to the Alzheimer Society, approximately “one million people in Canada will be living with dementia” by 2030.
Lewy body dementia is a neurodegenerative disease associated with the abnormal accumulation of misfolded alpha-synuclein proteins (Lewy bodies) in neurons. Lewy bodies disrupt the neuronal communication network needed for the optimal functioning of the nervous system, leading to cognitive decline, sleep issues, and movement difficulties. Symptoms of Lewy body dementia include trouble concentrating, muscle stiffness, insomnia, and visual hallucinations.
There are two subtypes of Lewy body dementia, including dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease because of symptom overlap, and usually affects those who are 50 or older.
To learn more about neurodegenerative disease progression, The Peak spoke with Dr. Gordon Rintoul, a neurobiologist and professor in SFU’s department of biological sciences.
Lewy body dementia is more likely to affect men than women, though the reason is unknown. People with a family history have an increased risk of developing it. Aging is another risk factor, but it’s difficult to pinpoint specific causes of Lewy body dementia. “The presentation, the onset, and the symptoms are variable depending on the individual,” shares Dr. Rintoul. Progressive diseases “that are slow in onset and gradually occur,” are “multifactorial, meaning that there are many different contributing factors that lead to the disease.”
“The aging population is going to have an increasingly larger impact [on] our healthcare system, so it’s important that students understand that, because it’s the world they’re going to inherit.”
— Dr. Rintoul, neurobiologist and professor in SFU’s Department of Biological Sciences
Understanding dementia is the key to ensuring timely intervention and effective treatment, and preparing our healthcare systems to accommodate dementia patient needs. Dr. Rintoul shares, “It’s important that you understand the signs and symptoms of these diseases, because earlier treatment usually leads to better outcomes.” He adds, “The aging population is going to have an increasingly larger impact [on] our healthcare system, so it’s important that students understand that, because it’s the world they’re going to inherit.”
As someone whose grandma had Alzheimer’s disease, I’ve seen the ripple effect that dementia has on the patient and their loved ones. “It’s OK if she forgets my birthday, if she forgets me,” my mom would say, but I heard the fear and sadness in her voice as she said so. After every question addressed to my grandma, there’d be an empty space waiting to be filled, followed by a breath of relief if the answer was correct, or a sad but reassuring smile if it wasn’t. Dementia might seem like a worry for the future, but as time passes, there’s a higher chance that dementia will affect you or someone dear to you. Dementia can’t be completely prevented, but we can use our knowledge to help others navigate this disease and remind them that they’re not alone.
To learn more about Lewy body disease and other dementias, visit Alzheimer Society of Canada.
