New research has found that a type of Alzheimer’s disease medication called cholinesterase inhibitors may help slow down cognitive decline in people with dementia with Lewy bodies, the second most common type of dementia. This form of dementia is caused by clumps of protein in the brain called Lewy bodies and shares many symptoms with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, including cognitive issues and movement concerns. There is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies, but medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors can help treat the symptoms of the disease. The study, conducted by researchers from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, found that the use of cholinesterase inhibitors was linked with a reduced mortality risk in the first year after a Lewy body dementia diagnosis.
Researchers analyzed data from over 1,000 people diagnosed with dementia with Lewy bodies from the Swedish Registry on cognitive/dementia disorders. They compared the effects of two common treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, cholinesterase inhibitors, and memantine, and found that cholinesterase inhibitors significantly slowed cognitive decline in participants over a five-year period. Additionally, taking cholinesterase inhibitors was associated with a reduced risk of death in the first year after a diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. However, this mortality effect was not sustained beyond the first year. These findings suggest that cholinesterase inhibitors may be an effective treatment option for individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
Dr. Hong Xu, the lead author of the study, emphasized the potential benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and called for an update to treatment guidelines based on these results. Other experts in the field, including Dr. Karen D. Sullivan and Dr. David Merrill, have also expressed support for the study’s findings. Dr. Sullivan noted that cholinesterase inhibitors have been used off-label for the treatment of Lewy body dementia due to the lack of FDA-approved medications for this condition. Dr. Merrill, a board-certified geriatric psychiatrist, highlighted the importance of these findings in informing clinical practice and spreading awareness of the benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors for individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies.
It is important to note that while cholinesterase inhibitors have shown promise in slowing cognitive decline in individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind these effects and to identify other potential treatment options. Lifestyle factors and additional reasons for cognitive benefits observed in this study should be further explored. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the potential benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors for individuals with dementia with Lewy bodies and may lead to improvements in the management and treatment of this condition. Continued research in this area will help to advance our understanding of dementia with Lewy bodies and improve outcomes for individuals affected by this disease.
