British actor Patrick Stewart died on Wednesday at the age of 86. He died of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, his spokesman said Thursday.
Dr. Keith Wassell, a professor of neurology at UCLA, said the two conditions often occur together, and when they do, individuals may decline more quickly.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common form of degenerative dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease, Worsell said. This occurs when a protein called alpha-synuclein clumps together in the brain. The disease is underrecognized and underdiagnosed, in part because its symptoms can overlap with those of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other celebrities who have suffered from the disease include Robin Williams, who committed suicide at 63, and Casey Kasem.
The disorder is named after neuroscientist Friedrich H. Lewy, who discovered the brain abnormality in the early 1900s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. website.
“Essentially, the only way to really diagnose these diseases is to do an autopsy and look at the hallmark features of these diseases under a microscope,” Vossell said.
Lewy body dementia symptoms often begin with REM sleep behavior disorder, such as screaming or kicking during sleep. The patient may have stiffness or tremors in one arm or leg. They may feel sluggish.
Patients may be diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies after the onset of cognitive symptoms within a year of motor symptoms. Cognitive symptoms may include delusions or hallucinations—some patients report sensing a shadow nearby—as well as difficulties with problem-solving and navigation. Another characteristic of this condition is the occurrence of severe fluctuations in alertness within a few hours of the same day.
Another early characteristic of dementia with Lewy bodies is anxiety, Wassell said.
Alzheimer’s disease, by contrast, is often associated with memory and language loss, and is more associated with apathy and depression than anxiety. The course of Alzheimer’s disease is slightly slower than that of dementia with Lewy bodies, Wassell said.
Dementia with Lewy bodies is more common in men than in women. People over 60 are at higher risk of developing degenerative diseases. Lewy body dementia is most common in people aged 70 to 80, he said.
There is currently no cure for Lewy body dementia, which is late and progressive. After diagnosis, people can typically expect to live six to eight years before needing 24-hour care, Vossel said.
But medications can help control symptoms. Wassel said clinical studies have found that cardiovascular fitness can slow the rate of decline.
Those who suspect they have symptoms of Lewy body dementia should contact a neurologist or clinician with training in geriatric medicine or geriatric psychiatry for evaluation, Worsell said.