New research has found that Alzheimer’s disease medications called cholinesterase inhibitors may help slow down cognitive decline in people with dementia with Lewy bodies. Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common type of dementia, and there is currently no cure for it. 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. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurochemical important for memory and thinking skills in nerve cells.
People with dementia with Lewy bodies share many symptoms with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, including cognitive issues such as memory loss, problem-solving, and speech problems, as well as movement concerns like lack of coordination, frequent falls, and tremors. While there is currently no cure for dementia with Lewy bodies, medications can help treat symptoms, including cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, which were evaluated in this study. The use of cholinesterase inhibitors significantly slowed cognitive decline in participants with dementia with Lewy bodies over a five-year period compared to those prescribed memantine or no treatment. Additionally, taking cholinesterase inhibitors was linked to a reduced risk of death in the first year after a Lewy body dementia diagnosis.
The researchers analyzed data from more than 1,000 people diagnosed with dementia from Lewy bodies in Sweden. All study participants were prescribed either donepezil, a cholinesterase inhibitor, memantine, or no treatment at all within three months of their diagnosis and followed for up to 10 years. The study results support updating treatment guidelines for dementia with Lewy bodies to include cholinesterase inhibitors due to the potential benefits observed in slowing cognitive decline and reducing mortality risk. This is especially significant as there are currently no approved treatments specifically for dementia with Lewy bodies, and medications for Alzheimer’s disease are often used for symptom relief.
Clinically, cholinesterase inhibitors have been seen to help many patients with Lewy body dementia, even more so than in Alzheimer’s disease, for which they are specifically approved. With no FDA-approved medications for Lewy body dementia, the need for new treatment options is crucial, making the findings of this study important for potential advancements in managing the condition. Further research could explore additional reasons for the cognitive benefits observed aside from the pharmacological intervention, including lifestyle factors that may contribute to improved outcomes for patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.
The results of this study align with current clinical practice in prescribing cholinesterase inhibitors to patients diagnosed with Lewy body disease and related dementias. Observational data like this helps spread awareness of the potential benefits of these medications for dementia with Lewy bodies, both among primary care clinics and families. Further research in different populations could explore if similar benefits are observed in other regions, providing valuable information for the treatment of dementia with Lewy bodies worldwide. The next steps in this research could involve a closer examination of the clinical population to identify any other factors that may contribute to the cognitive benefits observed in addition to the pharmacological intervention.
