diffuse Lewy body disease


diffuse Lewy body disease

(lā'vē), a degenerative cerebral disorder of the elderly, characterized initially by progressive dementia or psychosis, and subsequently by parkinsonian findings, usually with severe rigidity; other manifestations include involuntary movements, myoclonus, dysphagia, and orthostatic hypotension. Pathologically, Lewy bodies are present diffusely in the nuclei of the hypothalamus, basal forebrain, and brainstem. Synonym(s): Lewy body dementia

dif·fuse Le·wy bod·y dis·ease

(di-fyūs' lā'vē bod'ē di-zēz') A degenerative cerebral disorder of old people, characterized initially by progressive dementia or psychosis, and subsequently by parkinsonian findings, usually with severe rigidity; other manifestations include involuntary movements, myoclonus, dysphagia, and orthostatic hypotension. Pathologically, Lewy bodies are present diffusely in the nuclei of the hypothalamus, basal forebrain, and brainstem.
Synonym(s): Lewy body dementia.