Fact 12. DLB and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia: Two Sides of the Same Coin
DLB and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia (PDD) share many similarities, leading to a considerable overlap between these two conditions. Both disorders are characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, cognitive impairment, motor symptoms, and similar psychiatric manifestations. This overlap has implications for diagnosis, management, and our understanding of these conditions.
Diagnostically, the distinction between DLB and PDD hinges on the timing of cognitive symptoms relative to motor symptoms. If cognitive symptoms occur before or within a year of motor symptoms, a diagnosis of DLB is made. If motor symptoms precede cognitive symptoms by more than a year, a diagnosis of PDD is considered.
From a management perspective, strategies used to manage DLB, such as cholinesterase inhibitors for cognitive symptoms and careful use of antipsychotics for psychiatric symptoms, are also applicable to PDD. Similarly, non-pharmacological interventions like physical therapy for motor symptoms and cognitive stimulation for cognitive symptoms can be beneficial in both conditions. However, management must be personalized, taking into account the specific symptom profile and the individual’s overall health status. (12)
