British actor Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday at the age of 86. His spokesperson said Thursday that he died of Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
The two conditions often occur together, said Dr. Keith Vossel, a professor of neurology at UCLA, and when that happens, the individual’s decline may be more rapid.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common form of degenerative dementia, behind Alzheimer’s disease, Vossel said. This happens when a protein called alpha-synuclein clumps together inside the brain. This disease is under-recognized and underdiagnosed, in part because its symptoms can overlap with those of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other celebrities who have suffered from this condition include Robin Williams, who died by suicide at age 63, and Casey Kasem.
The disease is named for Friedrich H. Lewy, the neurologist who discovered the brain abnormalities in the early 1900s, according to the Alzheimer’s Assn. website.
“Essentially, the only way to really diagnose these diseases together is after an autopsy and seeing the characteristic features of the diseases under a microscope,” Vossel said.
Symptoms of Lewy body dementia tend to begin with a rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, such as screaming or kicking during sleep. An affected person may have stiffness or tremors in one of their arms or legs. And they may experience slowness of movement.
A patient may be diagnosed with Lewy body dementia after also experiencing cognitive symptoms within a year of motor symptoms. Cognitive symptoms can include illusions or hallucinations – some patients report sensing a dark figure nearby – and difficulty solving problems and navigating. This condition is also marked by dramatic fluctuations in alertness that occur within hours of the same day.
Another early feature of Lewy body dementia is anxiety, Vossel said.
In contrast, Alzheimer’s disease is usually associated with memory and language loss, and is more associated with apathy and depression than anxiety. The progression of Alzheimer’s disease is slightly slower than that of dementia with Lewy bodies, according to Vossel.
Lewy body dementia is more common in men than women. Anyone over the age of 60 is at higher risk of suffering from a degenerative disease. Lewy body dementia is most common in people between 70 and 80 years old, he said.
There is currently no cure for Lewy body dementia, which is terminal and progressive. After a diagnosis, people can typically expect to live six to eight years before needing around-the-clock care, Vossel said.
But medications can help manage symptoms. Clinical studies have shown that cardiovascular fitness can slow the rate of decline, Vossel said.
Those who suspect they are experiencing symptoms of Lewy body dementia should contact a neurologist or clinician trained in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry for an evaluation, Vossel said.
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