Lewy Body Dementia Awareness — October Spotlight: What to Know, What to Watch For, and How CNS Center Can Help

October is Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) Awareness Month — an important time to raise recognition of a condition that is commonly underdiagnosed and often mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease or psychiatric illness. Early recognition can accelerate appropriate care, reduce avoidable medication risks, and connect patients and families with targeted support. Below is a clear, patient-friendly guide to what Lewy body dementia is, the symptoms people most often notice first, and how CNS Brain Center supports patients through diagnosis and integrated care. National Institute on Aging+1

What is Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy body dementia (sometimes abbreviated LBD and also referred to clinically as dementia with Lewy bodies — DLB) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein (Lewy bodies) in brain cells. These deposits interfere with brain circuits that control thinking, movement, sleep, behavior, and autonomic functions (blood pressure, digestion, etc.). Because LBD affects multiple systems, its symptoms often overlap with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, which can make diagnosis challenging. National Institute on Aging+1

Core symptoms: what to watch for

LBD has a characteristic combination of features. The most important and commonly reported early or “core” symptoms include:

• Fluctuating attention and alertness. People with LBD may have pronounced variations in cognition from hour to hour or day to day — appearing lucid and then confused. Mayo Clinic
  
  
• Recurrent visual hallucinations. Seeing people, shapes, animals, or objects that others do not see is a hallmark of LBD and is often one of the first symptoms to appear. Hallucinations can be vivid but are not always distressing to the patient. Mayo Clinic+1
  
  
• REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Acting out dreams (punching, kicking, shouting) during REM sleep is strongly linked to Lewy body pathology and frequently precedes cognitive symptoms by years. Families often report this as an early red flag. Wikipedia+1
  
  
• Parkinsonism (motor symptoms). Slowness of movement, stiffness, tremor, and balance problems resembling Parkinson’s disease commonly occur. The timing of these symptoms relative to memory loss helps clinicians classify the condition. Alzheimer’s Association
  
  
• Autonomic and neuropsychiatric features. Orthostatic dizziness, constipation, depression, anxiety, and vivid dreams can also be early signs. Lewy Body Dementia Association
  
  

What people usually notice first (before seeing a neurologist)

Most families notice non-memory symptoms first — vivid visual hallucinations, unusual nighttime behaviors (RBD), repeated falls or new slowness, or abrupt changes in alertness. Because memory loss may be mild early on, these “non-memory” changes often prompt the first conversation with a doctor. Unfortunately, because these signs overlap with psychiatric conditions and other dementias, LBD is frequently missed or misdiagnosed initially — underscoring the importance of an evaluation by a neurologist familiar with Lewy body disorders. National Institute on Aging+1

Diagnosis and evidence-based treatments

Diagnosis is clinical and often uses standardized criteria (history, cognitive testing, motor exam, sleep history), supported by brain imaging or polysomnography when indicated. Because medications commonly used for other dementias or psychiatric conditions can cause severe sensitivity or worsening in LBD (for example, certain antipsychotics), accurate diagnosis matters for safe treatment planning. Mayo Clinic+1

While there is currently no cure or disease-modifying therapy for LBD, research supports symptom-targeted interventions. Cholinesterase inhibitors (for example, rivastigmine) may help cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and careful use of Parkinsonian medications can improve motor symptoms. Non-pharmacologic strategies (sleep hygiene, occupational therapy, caregiver education) are also central to care. Recent reviews summarize best practices for symptom management and emphasize multidisciplinary approaches. PMC+1

How CNS Center (The Brain Center) supports patients with LBD

At CNS Center we understand that Lewy body dementia affects the whole person and the whole family. Our integrated Brain Center model brings neurology, neuropsychology, sleep medicine, physical therapy, neurorehabilitation, hyperbaric support services where appropriate, and allied care into coordinated, patient-centered plans. Here’s how we help:

• Specialized evaluation & early detection. We take careful histories (including sleep and hallucination screening), perform cognitive testing, and use targeted imaging or sleep studies to help make a precise diagnosis. Early and accurate diagnosis reduces the risk of harmful medications and speeds access to symptom-specific care. National Institute on Aging
  
  
• Individualized treatment plans. Our neurologists partner with patients and families to design medication regimes that balance cognitive and motor symptom control while minimizing side effects. We follow evidence-based guidance and recent literature to choose and monitor therapies. PMC+1
  
  
• Multidisciplinary symptom management. Physical therapy for gait and balance, occupational therapy for safety and daily living, behavioral strategies for sleep and hallucinations, and social work support for caregiver education and resources are available under one coordinated team.
  
  
• Clinical trials and research-informed care. CNS Center stays current with the latest LBD research and invites eligible patients to discuss clinical trial options when appropriate. We translate new evidence into practice to give patients access to the best-available care. PMC
  
  

Practical advice for patients and families

• If you or a loved one is experiencing vivid visual hallucinations, dream enactment at night (punching, kicking, shouting), marked fluctuations in alertness, or new parkinsonian signs, schedule an appointment with a neurologist experienced in dementia syndromes. Early evaluation helps avoid medications that may worsen LBD and opens the door to targeted symptom management. Mayo Clinic+1
  
  
• Keep a symptom diary: record the timing and content of hallucinations, daytime alertness changes, falls, sleep behaviors, and medication responses. These details are invaluable for diagnosis.
  
  
• Bring a family member or caregiver to visits — they often notice changes (especially at night) that the patient may not report.
  
  
• Ask about sleep studies if dream enactment behavior occurs — REM sleep behavior disorder is a strong clinical clue for Lewy body disease. Wikipedia

Need help? CNS Center is here

If October’s awareness campaign raised questions for you, please reach out. At CNS Brain Center, our team specializes in diagnosing and managing Lewy body dementia with thoughtful, evidence-informed care and practical support for patients and families. To schedule an appointment or learn more about our LBD evaluation pathway, visit www.cns-center.com or call our office to speak with our care coordination team.

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