Lewy Body Dementia: Symptoms
Lewy body dementia patients typically present with the following symptoms:

• Delirium, confusion, attention deficit and hallucinations - especially visual hallucinations.
• Mild rigid-akinetic parkinsonism and intermittent loss of consciousness with falling.
• Sensitivity to neuroleptic drugs.

Particularly characteristic of LBD is a fluctuation in the severity of the condition on a day-to-day basis. At times the person will be alert and then suddenly experience acute episodes of confusion. These may last hours or days. He or she may also experience hallucinations that become more pronounced when he or she is most confused. The LBD patient also exhibits symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Additionally, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is common in persons with LBD. During periods of REM sleep, the patient may move, gesture and/or speak.

Finally, sensitivity to neuroleptics is another indication of LBD. Some anti-psychotic medications can exacerbate Parkinson's symptoms or increase the LBD sufferer’s confusion. Accurate diagnosis of LBD is critical to developing a safe treatment plan.