Lewy Body Dementia: Background information when reading Carolina Moonset

Lewy Body Dementia

This article relates to Carolina Moonset

In Matt Godman's novel, Carolina Moonset, one of the main characters has Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a degenerative condition similar to Alzheimer's disease.

According to the National Institute of Health, "Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain [and these] changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood." It is one of the most common forms of dementia, affecting over one million people in the United States. It's a progressive, fatal disease that can't be cured at this time.

It is unclear what causes LBD; age is considered the only real risk factor, and scientists have been unable to find a genetic or lifestyle link that increases the likelihood of contracting it. It's speculated that those with Parkinson's disease may be more likely to develop LBD, but there is no definitive correlation.

Cognitive decline is usually the first indication a person has LBD, and at this stage people are often misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, since the initial symptoms are so similar. Someone afflicted with LBD may have difficulty concentrating on tasks to the extent that it interferes with day-to-day activities. Often, the individual will be able to complete complex work but won't be able to focus on simple activities. A person's memory may also be impacted; it becomes increasingly difficult to remember recent events, while memories of the past may become sharper (as is the case with Joey's father Marshall in Carolina Moonset). Their thinking can appear illogical, and in about 80% of cases the patient will experience visual hallucinations.

LBD can also affect a person's body, and the onset of physical changes is often what leads a physician to conclude that someone has LBD and not Alzheimer's. Mobility becomes impaired, resulting in a slow, shuffling walk and a loss of coordination. It's common for a person's handwriting to become smaller than it once was. Those with the condition may also exhibit tremors or shaking, difficulty swallowing, a weak voice, or a lack of facial expression, among other symptoms.

While LBD can't be cured, some symptoms can be treated with pharmaceuticals, minimizing them for a time. Cognitive changes are often treated with medications called cholinesterase inhibitors, which are also used in treating the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Movement issues may be treated with carbidopa-levodopa, a drug used by Parkinson's patients, which can make it easier to perform actions such as moving around or getting out of bed. The downside is that carbidopa-levodopa can cause hallucinations and other psychiatric problems, so these drugs are less typically prescribed. Some individuals may also benefit from physical therapy and counseling. Organizations such as the Lewy Body Dementia Association provide resources for those living with the disease as well as support for their caregivers.

Filed under Medicine, Science and Tech

This article relates to Carolina Moonset. It first ran in the July 13, 2022 issue of BookBrowse Recommends.