Patrick Stewart, an English Shakespeare-trained actor who is best known for his roles in “Star Trek” and “X-Men,” died on Wednesday at 86.
Stewart died while surrounded by loved ones at his home in Los Angeles, according to a statement released by his family. He died after a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia,” the statement continued.
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder and the most common form of dementia in the United States. Common symptoms of the disease include memory loss, trouble focusing, issues with planning, lack of judgement and more. It can also lead to depression and uncharacteristic mood changes.
Lewy body dementia is a progressive brain disorder that can make it difficult to do everyday activities, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Read on to learn more about the condition.
What causes Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is the second most common type of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic. The organization explains that there are two types of LBD: Dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia.
LBD can cause a decline in mental abilities that gradually worsens over time, the Mayo Clinic states, adding that people with the condition might experience visual hallucinations — meaning they might see things that aren’t there.
The condition is caused by “abnormal deposits of alpha-synuclein proteins, called Lewy bodies, in the brain,” said Dr. Brintha Vasagar, a family medicine physician.
The Cleveland Clinic states that these proteins “damage parts of your brain that control thinking and memory.”
“Doctors and researchers don’t know why some people get LBD and others don’t,” the website adds.
What are the symptoms of Lewy body dementia?
The Cleveland Clinic explains that symptoms of LBD can vary depending on the person, and that they may come and go. The main issues include:
- trouble focusing/feeling confused
- memory loss
- hallucinations
- depression/anxiety/apathy
- feeling paranoid
- stiff muscles
- tremors
- troubles with balancing, speech or swallowing
The website also notes that people with LBD may experience issues with their blood pressure, digestion, sleep and bladder or bowel control. An early indicator of the condition may be a loss of smell.
Overall, the Cleveland Clinic states that symptoms tend to get worse over time.
How is Lewy body dementia diagnosed?
Vasagar explained that diagnosing LBD can be challenging.
“Lewy body dementia can be difficult to diagnose because the presenting symptoms are varied, there is no definitive test, and it can be easily confused with other types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s,” she told HuffPost. “Your family medicine physician can help you understand if changes in your memory or movement could be due to Lewy body dementia.”
Vasagar said “thorough medical history, bloodwork, brain imaging and neuropsychological testing” are all important parts of the diagnosis.
According to the National Institute on Aging, LBD affects men slightly more than women. The disease typically begins at age 50 or older, though younger people may have it.
The website also lists other potential risk factors for LBD, like having a REM sleep behavior disorder or loss of smell.
As for whether LBD can be treated, Vasagar said: “Unfortunately, there are no cures for Lewy body dementia.”
“But medication, physical therapy, and behavioral interventions can help control symptoms,” she said. “Getting an early, accurate diagnosis is the key to maintaining quality of life.”
As always, contact your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns about symptoms you’re experiencing.