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, which is the second most common type of dementia. This new study from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden analyzed data from over 1,000 individuals diagnosed with dementia from Lewy bodies and found that those who were prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors had a significantly slower cognitive decline over a five-year period compared to those who were prescribed memantine or received no treatment at all.
Dementia with Lewy bodies 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. While there is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies, medications and therapies such as occupational therapy and speech therapy can help manage symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurochemical important for memory and thinking skills, in nerve cells.
The study also found that the use of cholinesterase inhibitors was linked with a reduced mortality risk in the first year after a Lewy body dementia diagnosis. However, this mortality effect was not sustained after one year. The results from this study suggest that cholinesterase inhibitors may offer potential benefits for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies and support updating treatment guidelines to include these medications as a possible option for symptom relief.
Karen D. Sullivan, PhD, ABPP, and David Merrill, MD, PhD, both experts in the field of dementia and geriatric psychiatry, commented on the study’s findings. Sullivan noted that the study provides scientific evidence for the clinical benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors in managing Lewy body dementia, a condition that currently lacks FDA-approved medications. Merrill confirmed that cholinesterase inhibitors are routinely prescribed for patients with Lewy body disease in memory clinics and highlighted the importance of spreading awareness about the benefits of these medications to primary care clinics and families of patients with dementia.
Moving forward, researchers may need to further examine the clinical population studied to determine any factors beyond pharmacological interventions that may have contributed to the cognitive benefits seen in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Additionally, further research in different populations around the world could help confirm the benefits of cholinesterase inhibitors for managing dementia with Lewy bodies. This study provides valuable insights into potential treatment options for a prevalent, yet underdiagnosed, subtype of dementia, offering hope for improved symptom management and quality of life for affected individuals.
