AD Lib

ID: 11048
Title:For Emergency Room Physicians: Treating LBD Psychosis.
Publication Year: 2008
Format(s): Fact Sheet , Online Resource
Language(s): English
Audience(s): Physicians , Hospitals
Source: Atlanta, GA: Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. October 2008. 2 p.

Abstract: The term Lewy body dementias (LBD) represents two clinical entities: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD). People with LBD have a progressive dementia plus symptoms such as hallucinations, Parkinsonism, fluctuating cognitive abilities, REM behavior disorder, and severe sensitivity to neuroleptics. Visual hallucinations occur in up to 80 percent of patients with LBD and are considered a core feature of the disorder. This Web page is designed to teach emergency room physicians how to treat patients with psychosis associated with LBD. Because DLB and PDD have essentially the same symptoms and treatment issues, the Web page uses LBD as an umbrella term representing both clinical entities. It outlines the key considerations to take before treating behavioral disturbances in LBD, and provides a literature review for reference and guidance on pharmacotherapy for hallucinations and behavioral symptoms in LBD. The review includes details on the suggested starting dose, titrating schedule, and typical therapeutic range for selected cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, rivastigmine patch, galantamine) and atypical antipsychotics (quetiapine, clozapine). The Web page also has a summary guide for emergency treatment of LBD and a medical alert card for patients.

Availability: Available from the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. P.O. Box 451429, Atlanta, GA 31145-9429. Helpline: (800) 539-9767; Business phone: (404) 945-6444. E-mail: lbda@lbda.org. Website: www.lbda.org. PRICE: free online access.
Major Descriptor(s): DEMENTIA-WITH-LEWY-BODIES , PARKINSONS-DISEASE , DRUG-THERAPY , HALLUCINATIONS , PSYCHOTIC-DISORDERS , PSYCHOTROPIC-DRUGS , CHOLINESTERASE-INHIBITORS , CLINICAL-MANAGEMENT
Minor Descriptor(s): ADVERSE-EFFECTS
Link(s): http://www.lbda.org/go/ER

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