Lewy Body Dementia: Diagnosis
An accurate diagnosis of lewy body dementia relies on careful examination of the history and pattern of symptoms, and by ruling out other dementias with similar characteristics.

Fluctuating confusion, persistent visual hallucinations and spontaneous parkinsonism are three core diagnostic features of LBD. So, the presence of at least two of these symptoms is a likely indicator of the disease.

Memory tests and blood tests may also be performed. A brain scan may reveal brain degeneration, but the actual presence of lewy bodies can only be confirmed by autopsy after death. Dementia with lewy bodies is in many ways similar to Alzheimer’s disease and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the two.