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Studies with patients

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

Is there any treatment?
Scientists continue to search for a specific course of therapy for people with dementia with Lewy bodies. Treatment is symptomatic, often involving the use of medication to control the parkinsonian and psychiatric symptoms. However, patients should be aware that antiparkinsonian medication that may help to reduce tremor and loss of muscle movement may actually worsen such symptoms as hallucinations and delusions. Similarly, neuroleptic drugs prescribed for psychiatric symptoms may in fact markedly worsen the movement symptoms. In general atypical antipsychotic medications are more successful than older drugs such as haloperidol.

What is the prognosis?
Dementia with Lewy bodies is a slowly progressive condition for which there is no cure.

What research is being done?
NINDS conducts and supports research on dementing disorders, including dementia with Lewy bodies, to learn more about diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Research efforts also include basic investigations of Lewy bodies, in an effort to understand the biological consequences of Lewy body formation and the mechanisms of disease progression. Knowledge gained by such basic research provides the necessary foundation for future clinical research.