Scientiests investigate the diagnostic value of perfusion 99mTc-exametazime single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in comparison with dopaminergic 123I-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-n-(3-fluoropropyl) nortropane (FP-CIT) SPECT imaging.

Cardiac MIBG imaging performed at the time of the first clinical diagnosis of DLB can help early clinical identification or exclusion of this disease.
 

Research confirms the high correlation between abnormal (low binding) DAT activity measured with (123)I-FP-CIT SPECT and a clinical diagnosis of probable DLB. The diagnostic accuracy is sufficiently high for this technique to be clinically useful in distinguishing DLB from Alzheimer's disease

By Ferini-Strambi L, et. al. A strong association between RBD and alpha-synucleinopathies has been recently observed, with the sleep disorder often preceding the clinical onset of the neurodegenerative disease. The idiopathic form accounts for up to 60% of the cases reported in the three largest series of RBD patients. Follow-up studies in small samples revealed that a proportion of RBD patients will eventually develop Parkinson's disease and/or a Dementia of Lewy bodies type in the years following the RBD diagnosis.

By Dalfo E, Portero-Otin M, Ayala V, Martinez A, Pamplona R, Ferrer I. The findings support antioxidant therapy in the treatment of PD to reduce cortical damage associated with oxidative stress.

By Ballard CG, Perry RH, McKeith IG, Perry EK. Although patients were not randomized and the results which are observed need to be interpreted cautiously, if substantiated, this is an important finding with major implications for the pharmacological management of DLB patients and highlights the need to determine the impact of neuroleptics upon tangle pathology in AD.

By Molloy S, McKeith IG, O'Brien JT, Burn DJ. L-dopa was generally well tolerated in DLB but produced a significant motor response in only about one third of patients. Younger DLB cases were more likely to respond to dopaminergic treatment.

By Vaamonde-Gamo J, Flores-Barragan JM, Ibanez R, Gudin M, Hernandez A. The sensitivity and specificity of the DLB criteria vary markedly. FP-CIT SPECT may be a new tool in the differential diagnosis between DLB and AD.

By Wezenberg E, Verkes RJ, Sabbe BG, Ruigt GS, Hulstijn W. The results implicate acetylcholine as a modulator not only of memory but also of visuospatial abilities.

By Sabbagh MN, Hake AM, Ahmed S, Farlow MR. Seven of eleven participants were stable or improved with memantine while the remaining four worsened or responded adversely when exposed to the drug. No adverse effects on motor function were observed. Conclusions: Memantine can be used safely in patients with DLB, but its symptomatic effects may be variable.

By Ridha BH, Josephs KA, Rossor MN. Three patients with probable Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) experienced worsening delusions and visual hallucinations as a result of memantine therapy. Significant resolution occurred once treatment was discontinued. Caution is required when prescribing memantine to patients with possible DLB.

By Fantini ML, Ferini-Strambi L, Montplaisir J. Idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder: toward a better nosologic definition.

By Preobrazhenskaia IS, Strutsenko AA The authors believe that autonomic disorders are typical for DLB and are the result of affection of the peripheral nerves, stem and spinal autonomic structures.