A breakthrough in diagnosing Lewy body dementia

0-A breakthrough in diagnosing Lewy body disease — Credit: Unsplash+

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have made a major breakthrough in diagnosing Lewy body disease, a leading cause of dementia.

Until now, the only way to confirm the disease was through a brain examination after death. This new discovery could allow doctors to detect the condition while patients are still alive, opening the door to earlier diagnosis and treatment.

What Is Lewy Body Disease?

Lewy body disease is a brain disorder linked to both Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions affect movement and cognitive functions, causing significant challenges for those living with them.

The disease is caused by abnormal protein clusters, called Lewy bodies, that build up in the brain and interfere with its normal functioning.

Despite its impact, Lewy body disease is not as widely recognized as other forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s. However, it remains one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide.

A New Diagnostic Method

For years, diagnosing Lewy body disease was only possible post-mortem, making it difficult to catch the disease early.

Now, Swedish researchers have developed a method to identify the condition using a test on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—the liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. This test can detect the specific proteins responsible for the disease.

In a study involving over 1,100 participants with no cognitive or motor issues, nearly 10% showed signs of Lewy bodies in their spinal fluid. This finding suggests that the disease can be identified even before symptoms appear, giving doctors a critical head start.

Smell Loss: An Early Clue

The study also revealed a surprising connection between Lewy body disease and the loss of smell. Participants who tested positive for Lewy bodies were already experiencing issues with their sense of smell, even before other symptoms began.

This finding suggests that a simple smell test could become a valuable screening tool for individuals over 60. Those who struggle with the test could undergo further testing with spinal fluid to confirm the diagnosis.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Catching Lewy body disease early is crucial. Scientists are actively working on medications to slow or halt its progression, and early detection could allow treatments to begin before significant brain damage occurs.

The study also found that some individuals with Lewy body disease had protein build-ups associated with Alzheimer’s. This overlap could help doctors better understand how the disease might progress and tailor treatments accordingly.

What Lies Ahead?

While this discovery is a game-changer, researchers acknowledge that more work is needed. Developing a blood test for Lewy body disease would be ideal but is challenging due to the lower concentration of the target proteins in blood compared to spinal fluid. Still, the findings mark an important step forward, providing hope for better diagnostic tools and treatments.

This research, published in Nature Medicine, is a significant advance in the fight against Lewy body disease.

It highlights the importance of early detection and lays the groundwork for new approaches to managing this complex condition. For individuals and families affected by dementia, this breakthrough offers a glimpse of a brighter future.

If you care about dementia, please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and flavonoid-rich foods could help prevent dementia.

For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that cranberries could help boost memory, and how alcohol, coffee and tea intake influence cognitive decline.