LBD Glossary

Autonomic dysfunction

Blood pressure fluctuations (e.g. postural/orthostatic hypotension) heart rate variability (HRV), sexual disturbances/impotence, constipation, urinary problems, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), decreased sweating/heat intolerance, syncope (fainting), dry eyes/mouth, and difficulty swallowing which may lead to aspiration pneumonia.
 

Cognition

Mental abilities such as judgment, memory, learning, comprehension, and reasoning.
CT Scan Computed tomography - A type of imaging scan that shows the internal structure of a person’s brain. In diagnosing dementia, CT scans can reveal tumors and small strokes in the brain
 

Delusions

A false idea typically originating from a misinterpretation but firmly believed and strongly maintained in spite of contradictory proof or evidence.


Dementia

A process whereby the person becomes progressively confused. The earliest signs are usually memory problems, changes in their way of speaking, such as forgetting words, and personality problems. Cognitive symptoms of dementia include poor problem solving, difficulty with learning new skills and impaired decision making.

Other causes of dementia should be ruled out first, such as alcoholism, overuse of medication, thyroid or metabolic problems. Strokes can also cause dementia. If these reasons are ruled out then the person is said to have a degenerative dementia. LBD is second only to Alzheimer's disease as the most common form of dementia


Fluctuations

Cognitive fluctuations will be noticeable to those who are close to the person with LBD, such as their partner. At times the person will be alert and then suddenly have acute episodes of confusion. These may last hours or days. Because of these fluctuations, it is not uncommon for it to be thought that the person is "faking". This fluctuation is not related to the well-known "sundowning" of Alzheimer's. In other words, there is no specific time of day when confusion can be seen to occur.


Hallucinations

Hallucinations are usually, but not always, visual and often are more pronounced when the person is most confused. They are not necessarily frightening to the person. Other modalities of hallucinations include sound, taste, smell, and touch.


Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The MMSE is a brief, quantitative measure of cognitive status in adults. It can be used to screen for cognitive impairment, to estimate the severity of cognitive impairment at a given point in time, to follow the course of cognitive changes in an individual over time, and to document an individual’s response to treatment.


MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) 

A brain scanning technique that generates cross-sectional images of a human brain by detecting small molecular changes. MRI scans reveal a contrast between normal and abnormal tissues. The image produced is similar to those generated by CT scans. There are no side effects or risks associated with MRI scans, although MRI can affect electrical devices like pacemakers and hearing aids.


Myoclonus

Sudden, involuntary jerking of a muscle or group of muscles. Myoclonic twitches or jerks usually are caused by sudden muscle contractions, called positive myoclonus, or by muscle relaxation, called negative myoclonus. Myoclonic jerks may occur alone or in sequence, in a pattern or without pattern. They may occur infrequently or many times each minute. Myoclonus sometimes occurs in response to an external event or when a person attempts to make a movement. The twitching cannot be controlled by the person experiencing it.


Neuroleptics/Anti-Psychotic Drugs

These medications can worsen the Parkinsonism and/or decrease the cognition and/or increase the hallucinations. Neuroleptic Malignancy Syndrome, a life-threatening illness, has been reported in persons with Lewy Body Dementia. For this reason, it is very important that the proper diagnosis is made and that healthcare providers are educated about the disease.


Parkinsonan Symptoms

These symptoms include tremors, speech impediments, movement difficulties, and dementia later in the course of the disease.


REM Sleep Behavior Disorder

Often noted in persons with LBD. During periods of REM sleep, the person will move, gesture and/or speak. There may be more pronounced confusion between the dream and waking reality when the person awakens.

 
Restless Leg Syndrome

RLS is a strong urge to move the legs which may not be controlled. The need to move is often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. RLS symptoms start or become worse when resting. RLS symptoms get better when one moves the legs. The relief can be complete or only partial but generally starts very soon after starting an activity. Relief persists as long as the motor activity continues. RLS symptoms are worse in the evening especially when lying down.

 
Rigidity

Progressive muscle stiffness


Tremors

A type of involuntary shaking movement

 
Visuospatial

Depth perception, object orientation, directional sense and illusions.