Lewy Body Dementia Treatment

Lewy body dementia can be difficult to recognise, difficult to manage and difficult to plan for. Changes in cognition, movement, sleep and behaviour do not always follow a predictable pattern.

 

At Dementech Neurosciences, treatment is guided by specialist oversight and integrated clinical care. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates to stabilise symptoms when possible and offers clear, ongoing support to patients and their carers.

Why Choose Dementech for Lewy Body Dementia Assessment?

What is Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a condition that slowly affects thinking, movement, sleep, and behaviour. It happens when unusual protein deposits build up in brain cells, making it harder for nerves to communicate and gradually changing daily life.

 

There is no cure for Lewy body dementia, but specialist care can help manage symptoms, support independence, and improve quality of life. Treatment usually includes expert guidance, specific therapies, and medication chosen for each person’s needs.

 

Symptoms usually appear slowly and can be different for each person. Early changes might be mild or come and go, but as the condition gets worse, people may need more help at home or in a care facility.

Causes of Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy body dementia happens when abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies build up inside brain cells. These deposits interfere with normal brain signals and can cause changes in movement, thinking, perception, and daily activities.

 

The exact cause of these protein deposits is not fully understood, and their impact depends on where they form in the brain. Deposits in areas controlling movement, cognition or vision can give rise to the diverse symptoms experienced by people with DLB.

 

Lewy body dementia usually affects people over 65, but it can sometimes appear in younger adults or run in families. The disease progresses differently for each person. Some people live with DLB for many years, while others decline more quickly, so care needs to be tailored to each individual.

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms

Lewy body dementia affects people differently, depending on which parts of the brain are impacted. Changes may appear in movement, balance, vision, attention or memory, and symptoms can vary day to day.

 

Early on, some challenges may come and go, such as difficulty with coordination or brief lapses in alertness. As the condition progresses, symptoms often become more consistent and may require increased support with daily activities.

 

Recognising these patterns early can help patients and families manage daily life and plan for the care they may need.

 

The common symptoms of dementia with Lewy body disease include:

Seeing people, animals or things that aren’t there. Often realistic and recurring.

Difficulty recognising or identifying smells; some may lose their sense of smell entirely.

Unsteadiness, dizziness, fainting, frequent falls, or blood pressure drops.

Periods of confusion, drowsiness, staring into space, or fluctuating attention.

Slower movements, stiffness, trembling, shuffling, or difficulty walking, similar to Parkinson’s symptoms.

Acting out dreams, vivid dreams, shouting or moving in sleep; can cause daytime drowsiness or depression.

Depression, memory loss, speech difficulties, impaired judgement, swallowing difficulties, higher risk of infections or choking.

Book A Consultation

    Same Week Consultations

    We offer consultaiton within the same week, with diagnostic tests and scane completed the same day or within 72 hours.

    Video Consultations Available

    Our virtual appointments give you the flexibility to be seen from home or any location that feels comfortable.

    Prices Starting at £485

    Our consultations start at £485, contact our team today to get a personalised quote.

    Extended One Hour Consultations

    One-hour appointments with in-house dementia specialists, allowing time for detailed clinical and therapeutic input.

    Speak to a Lewy Body Dementia Specialist

    0203 848 4500

    Dementech Neurosciences are London's leading neurological clinic specialising in advanced neurological conditions such as Lewy body dementia. Book a call with our clinic to speak to a specialist about your condition.

    Lewy Body Dementia Diagnosis and Treatment at Dementech

    Diagnosing and managing Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) requires a specialist and personalised approach. As there is no single test to confirm DLB, our team combines assessments, advanced imaging, and genetic tools to gain a comprehensive understanding of your symptoms, disease progression, and the most suitable treatments.

    The Diagnosis Process

     

    1. Initial Consultation
      Your care begins with a detailed consultation with a dementia specialist. This allows us to understand your symptoms, medical history, and any concerns from you or your family.
    2. Cognitive Assessment
      You will then meet with a neuropsychologist, who will use advanced tools to assess memory, attention, problem-solving, and other cognitive functions.
    3. Testing and Imaging
      A series of tests, including imaging scans and blood work, is conducted to determine the severity of the condition, exclude other causes, and clarify your prognosis. Most tests are arranged within 48 hours to support prompt diagnosis and early intervention.
    4. Follow-Up Consultation
      After reviewing your results, a dementia consultant will discuss your diagnosis, outline personalised next steps, and address any questions you may have.

     

    Managing Lewy Body Dementia

     

    Although there is no cure for DLB, early and tailored treatment can help manage symptoms, support independence, and improve quality of life. At Dementech, we offer a multidisciplinary approach:

     

    • Medication: To reduce hallucinations, manage sleep disturbances, and address drowsiness.
    • Physical and Occupational Therapy: To support movement, coordination, daily activities, and home adaptations.
    • Cognitive Stimulation: Exercises and therapies to support memory, communication, and problem-solving skills.
    • Dementia-Focused Activities: Drop-in sessions and therapeutic activities that offer practical support and engagement.

     

    Each treatment plan is tailored to your needs, balancing independence and safety, and may include guidance on carers, home adjustments, or nursing care.

    A Lewy body dementia treatment plan will be devised with the aim of allowing you to remain as independent as possible for as long as possible. This might include considering hiring carers or finding an appropriate nursing home so you can receive the right level of care and support. Changes may also need to be made to your home to make it more accessible and safe.

     

    Our expert dementia consultants have years of experience in helping patients and caregivers through the diagnosis and treatment of dementia. We provide bespoke Lewy body dementia treatment plans for all our patients and ongoing advice and support to help patients and their loved ones become more informed and at ease.

    Clinical Trials at Dementech

    We provide patients with the opportunity to take part in clinical trials before the general public can. Some of the pharmacological interventions may aid in slowing the progression of LBD. Paired with our therapeutic approach to treatment, we aim to prevent dementia from worsening for as long as we can, and we ensure caregivers have an active role in the treatment of Lewy body dementia where possible.

    Our Caregiver Support

    Our dementia consultants also provide support and guidance for caregivers. We understand that a dementia diagnosis can be hard to come to terms with and can cause high levels of stress, which is why we provide ongoing support to both patients and caregivers throughout the Lewy body dementia treatment process.

    J Adams

    Group 1808

    A pleasure to have the expertise, vision & support of Dementech, most especially the care and trust of Dr. D’Anna, Anca and the team!

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    Patient Success Stories

    Dementech Neurosciences prides itself on delivering exceptional patient care. Here are just some of our patient testimonials.

    P Allen

    Group 180822

    “My family and I experienced one of the hardest times of our lives having to deal with my wife’s deteriorating condition. I would like to personally thank the lovely young lady Zobiaa from Dementech, for showering us with compassion, empathy and genuine care and concern. Her professionalism, high-level customer service and communication, eye for detail, and willingness to go the extra mile to accommodate our needs and make not only my wife, but our whole family, feel as comfortable and supported as possible, is something we will always be grateful for. Thank you so much for your friendly and polite presence Zobiaa and taking the time and effort to build a relationship with us. You really made our visits to the clinic a positive, 5 star experience.”

    Anonymous

    Group 180822

    “Dementech Neurosciences is a relatively new clinic specialising in the scientific assessment and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. It represents a significant development in the treatment of Parkinson’s and has done a great job of establishing itself and its reputation in a short period of time. The premises are extremely well situated in central London, the consultant neurologists are all at the top of their field in their specialisation of the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease, and the clinical and administrative staff are of a similar standard. The atmosphere of the clinic is positive and the results, in the short period of time I have been able to assess, have been similarly positive.”

    N Mohammed

    Group 180822

    “Have had nothing but kindness and professionalism from Dementech and all their staff. From their initial guidance by Shakeela, through to staff conducting the MRI tests and Dr. Lucio D’Anna for his expertise clarity of explanation, compassion and consideration. Special mention to Zobia, who saved the day with her quick thinking that helped my mother-in-law to obtain extended care. Overall a perfect experience. Cannot recommend them enough.”

    Meet Our Lewy Body Dementia Specialists

    Dementech is home to internationally recognised specialists in Lewy body dementia, combining deep clinical expertise with pioneering research.

     

    Our team delivers personalised diagnosis and treatment plans, using state-of-the-art facilities and therapies tailored to each patient’s needs.

     

    From advancing understanding of DLB through innovative research to providing hands-on care that enhances quality of life, our specialists are dedicated to tackling this complex condition with precision and compassion.

     

    About Dementech

    At our core, we are dedicated to enhancing your quality of life and overall well-being by delivering the highest standard of care. Recognising the need for a private centre that offers a holistic, multidisciplinary approach, we’ve embarked on a mission to transform the lives of individuals facing neurological disorders, including dementia with Lewy bodies.

     

    Our commitment to this mission is fueled by the integration of cutting-edge technologies and advanced diagnostic methods, some of which are considered the best in the world. Although many of the neurological disorders we specialise in remain incurable, our focus on medication and other therapeutic modalities can effectively slow down disease progression and bring about substantial improvements in the patient’s quality of life.

    Contact Dementech

    Take the first step towards a better quality of life – contact our clinic today.

    Call us on 0203 848 4500 or fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will get back to you.

      Lewy Body Dementia FAQs

      Dementia with Lewy bodies and Alzheimer’s disease are different types of dementia, despite having some overlapping symptoms. Some patients with DLB are misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in ineffective treatment plans and the possibility of taking prescription medication that isn’t suitable. Understanding the type of dementia you or someone you care for is experiencing is vital if you are to learn how to deal with the symptoms.

       

      Memory loss is more prominent in early Alzheimer’s than in early Lewy body dementia, although advanced Lewy body dementia may cause memory problems and affect decision-making, planning and perception. Alzheimer’s disease specifically impacts how the brain forms new memories, whereas, in LBD, cognitive function (e.g. problem-solving) is most affected.

       

      Movement symptoms are more likely to be an important cause of disability in early Lewy body dementia than in Alzheimer’s, although Alzheimer’s can cause problems with walking and balance as it progresses through the stages.

       

      Hallucinations, delusions and confusion with familiar people are significantly more frequent in early-stage Lewy body dementia than in Alzheimer’s. Typically, people with DLB will experience hallucinations as one of the first symptoms, whereas people with Alzheimer’s tend to develop hallucinations approximately four years post-diagnosis.

       

      REM sleep disorder is more common in early Lewy body dementia patients than in Alzheimer’s disease patients due to disruptions caused by the autonomic nervous system. This can lead to symptoms that are similar to Parkinson’s disease.

       

      Blood pressure drops on standing, dizziness, falls, and urinary incontinence are much more common in early Lewy body dementia than in Alzheimer’s. Typically, physical symptoms occur in later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, whilst they’re among the first signs to present in Lewy body dementia.

      According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, Lewy body dementia is one of the most common diseases causing dementia, with 10-15% of people with dementia having dementia with Lewy bodies.

      Yes, it is possible for individuals with Lewy body dementia to live at home depending on the severity of their condition and the interventions put in place to help them manage their symptoms. Some changes to your home might be necessary to ensure it is accessible and safe, and you might also want to consider hiring a carer to help support you if your symptoms are more severe.

      DLB has a similar outlook to Alzheimer’s disease, with most people surviving their diagnosis for six to 12 years. Life expectancy post-diagnosis is highly personal to each patient, and some people with DLB live far beyond 12 years post-diagnosis.

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