British actor Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday at the age of 86. He died of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, his spokesman said Thursday.
UCLA neurology professor Dr. The two conditions often occur together, and when this happens, the individual’s decline may be faster, Keith Vossel said.
Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common form of degenerative dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease, Vossel said. It occurs when a protein called alpha-synuclein accumulates in clusters within the brain. The condition is unrecognized and underdiagnosed in part because its symptoms can overlap with those of Alzheimer’s.
Other celebrities who suffered from this condition include Robin Williams and Casey Kasem, who committed suicide at the age of 63.
The condition is named after neurologist Friedrich H. Lewy, who discovered brain abnormalities in the early 1900s, according to the Alzheimer’s Assn. website.
“The only way to truly diagnose these conditions together is to see the hallmarks of the diseases under a microscope after an autopsy,” Vossel said.
Lewy body dementia symptoms tend to begin with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, such as screaming or kicking during sleep. The patient may have stiffness or tremors in one of the arms or legs. And they may experience slowing of movement.
A patient may be diagnosed with Lewy body dementia after experiencing cognitive symptoms within a year of motor symptoms. Cognitive symptoms may include delusions or hallucinations (some patients report feeling a shadowy figure nearby) and difficulties with problem solving and orientation. This condition is also marked by dramatic fluctuations in alertness level during hours of the same day.
Another early feature of Lewy body dementia is anxiety, Vossel said.
In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease is typically associated with memory and language loss and is associated with apathy and depression rather than anxiety. According to Vossel, the course of Alzheimer’s disease is slightly slower than dementia with Lewy bodies.
Dementia with Lewy bodies is more common in men than in women. Anyone over the age of 60 has a higher risk of developing a degenerative condition. Dementia with Lewy bodies is most common in people in their 70s and 80s, he said.
Lewy body dementia, a terminal and progressive disease, currently has no cure. Once diagnosed, people can usually expect to live six to eight years before needing 24-hour care, Vossel said.
But medication can help manage symptoms. Clinical studies have found that cardiovascular fitness can slow the rate of decline, Vossel said.
Those who suspect they have symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies should contact a neurologist or clinician trained in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry for evaluation, Vossel said.