Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Clinical trials: past, current, and future for atypical Parkinsonian syndromes

There are currently no effective Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for atypical parkinsonian disorders such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, dementia with Lewy bodies, or multiple system atrophy. Previous treatment trials for these disorders were focused on symptomatic support and did not affect disease progression. Recent breakthroughs in neuropathology and pathophysiology have allowed a new understanding of these disorders and investigation into potentially disease modifying therapies. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of these disorders will be reviewed here. Suggestions for future therapeutic targets and clinical trial design (with a focus on progressive supranuclear palsy) will also be provided.

[Treatment of Lewy body dementia]

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is more frequent than previously considered and is characterized by the scarcity of therapeutic resources and the difficulty of treatment since many patients are hypersensitive to neuroleptics. Although further research is required in this field, standardization of the diagnostic criteria has improved the data obtained from research. Currently, anticholinesterase drugs have proven utility in LBD and there is increasing evidence that memantine can also be useful. Typical neuroleptics are dangerous in these patients and should never be used. Among atypical neuroleptics, quetiapine is the best option, although conclusive data are lacking.

Cognitive, anxiety and mood disorders in the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated patients with fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a CGG repeat expansion in the premutation range in the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene.

METHODS

Neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological evaluations were performed on 15 male patients with FXTAS.

RESULTS

Seven cases were diagnosed with dementia, and seven others were diagnosed with mood and/or anxiety disorders. Twelve subjects demonstrated deficits on neuropsychological testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians assessing dementia patients are urged to consider this newly described syndrome, especially in patients with dementia associated with a movement disorder and in those with a family history of mental retardation. If FXTAS is a possible diagnosis, physicians may carry out FMR1 DNA testing; patients who test positive on DNA testing should undergo magnetic resonance imaging, be referred to neurology and receive genetic counseling.