Understanding LBD

Printed Resources for Understanding LBD

LBDA provides educational resources to assist individuals with LBD, their families and healthcare providers. Click the titles below to read and print a single copy.

Diagnosing and Managing LBD

A comprehensive Guide for Healthcare Professionals discussing LBD symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, referrals, and impact on the family caregiver.

Is it Lewy?

An educational resource for those with LBD covering the signs, symptoms, causes, diagnosis of LBD as well as available assistance.

LBD: State of the Science

This white paper provides the LBD community an easy-to-read overview of key major findings to date in LBD research. The report also highlights a vast array of opportunities to drive research progress forward

 Information for Patients, Families and Professionals

This 40-page booklet helps people with LBD, their families, and professionals learn more about the disease and resources for coping.

LBD Diagnostic Symptoms Checklist

LBD has developed a tool to help patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers quickly and easily identify the symptoms that are required for diagnosis with Lewy Bodies (DLB), the most misdiagnosed form of dementia and one form of LBD.

LBD Medical Alert Wallet Card

This Medical Alert Wallet Card has been developed to quickly inform Emergency Room medical professionals of important medication sensitivities in LBD.

Facing Lewy Body Dementia Together: an Introduction to LBD

Facing Lewy Body Dementia Together provides easy-to-read, introductory clinical information on Lewy body dementia in a patient friendly manner.

Lewy and Lumbar Punctures

Did you know that spinal fluid is extremely valuable in LBD research? It allows scientists to study changes in the levels of proteins that might be associated with LBD, Alzheimer’s disease, or other disorders that can only be found in spinal fluid.

Comprehensive LBD Symptoms Checklist

LBDA has created a helpful comprehensive checklist to help people diagnosed with LBD or their caregivers report new or concerning LBD symptoms to their physician.

Treatment of Behavioral Symptoms: When to Consider Antipsychotic Medications in LBD

This paper discusses some of the causes of behavioral symptoms in LBD, as well as strategies and treatments to reduce their frequency and severity.

Medications Glossary: Drug Classes and Medications

This publication provides helpful information to LBD families about medications used to treat cognitive, motor, mood or behavioral disorders. This information may be helpful in discussing with healthcare providers the risks and benefits of certain medications.

Managing Medications

This publication provides information on how to keep track of medications and organize them.

Brain Autopsies and Brain Donations

Learn more about making a brain donation or arranging for a brain autopsy.

Medical Marijuana – What Do We Know?

With many states legalizing the use of medical marijuana (compounds called cannabinoids), and some even making it legal for recreational use, you might be wondering if it would be beneficial to people with Lewy body dementias (LBD). Dr. Carol Lippa, Director of the Division of Cognitive Disorders at Thomas Jefferson University and member of LBDA’s Scientific Advisory Council explains what research has revealed so far about the benefits or risks of using medical marijuana in disorders like LBD.

Which Cognitive Medication Delivery is More Effective? A Patch or Pill?

Medications to treat impaired memory and cognitive function in LBD are available in pill and patch form. Learn whether there is a difference between the two forms and what medications should be considered. Dr. Howard Hurtig of University of Pennsylvania answers this common caregiver question.

What is the Role of the Geriatric Psychiatrist in LBD?

Daniel Weintraub, MD, Ian McKeith, MD, FRCPsych, Peter Rabins, MD, MPH answer the question, What is the role of the geriatric psychiatrist in LBD?

Why Can’t All People with LBD Take the Same Medications?

Joseph H. Friedman, MD the Director, Movement Disorders Program at Butler Hospital answers the question, Why can’t all people with LBD take the same medications?

Brain Imaging for Lewy Body Dementia

Do you know the difference between a CT scan, an MRI, or SPECT or PET scans? LBDA has put together a helpful overview on the different types of brain imaging and how they help differentiate between forms of dementia.