The researchers gave FDG-PETs to 22 people within two months of a clinical diagnosis of probable DLB. The authors concluded that "Hypermetabolism is common in patients with DLB and may be related to visual hallucinations."

The abstract is copied below.

Robin



Clinical Nuclear Medicine. 2010 Jul;35(7):490-3.

Hypermetabolism in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.

Miyazawa N, Shinohara T, Nagasaka T, Hayashi M.
Department of PET Center of Kofu Neurosurgical Hospital, Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan. nobu_miya9311@yahoo.co.jp

Abstract
PURPOSE: Detection of hyperperfusion by I-123 N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine single photon emission computed tomography can be helpful to diagnose dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This study characterized hypermetabolism in DLB.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 probable cases of DLB were examined by F-18 2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography.

RESULTS: Hypermetabolism was found in the peri-motor area, basal ganglia, and cerebellum. Eleven patients had hypermetabolism in all 3 areas, 6 in 2 areas, 4 in 1 area, and 1 in no area. Hypermetabolism was most frequent in the cerebellum. Comparison of the 11 patients with hypermetabolism in all 3 areas to the other 11 cases found no significant differences in age (P = 0.2555), sex (P = 0.1889), Mini-Mental State Examination score (P = 0.0897), and Parkinsonism. However, visual hallucinations were significantly more frequent in the patients with hypermetabolism in all 3 areas (P = 0.0018).

CONCLUSIONS: Hypermetabolism is common in patients with DLB and may be related to visual hallucinations.

PubMed ID#: 20548139 (see pubmed.gov for this abstract only)

What is hypermetalbolism?? Could it be the reason for dramatic loss of weight while still eating well?

I was wondering the same thing.
Mary

Robin, sounds promising. Sooner or later, YES!!!

Mary and others, you will find it all on "google" search.

DrP

I did the google search but in layman's terms how does this relate to LBD...is it a reason for the loss of weight or something more??

This article has to do with hypermetabolism within the brain. It has nothing to do with the body's metabolic rate (or weight gain/loss).

Weird,
I was reading article about hypometabolism (glucose) in LBD.

Does this mean some people have hypo and some hyper metabolism in the brain for LBD?
If so does the disease have alternation or progression in terms of abnormal brain metabolism?
Can both be present (that is some areas of the brain hypo metabolic, some hyper metabolic)?
Does it indicate different conditions with the same diagnosis?

Not sure what to make of it....