Lewy body disease is a serious brain disorder that affects memory, thinking, movement, and behavior. It is the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, yet many people have never heard of it.
The disease is closely linked to two major conditions: Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia. Both illnesses share the same underlying problem inside the brain, even though their symptoms may appear different at first.
Lewy body disease is named after tiny abnormal clumps called Lewy bodies that form inside brain cells. These clumps are made from a protein known as alpha‑synuclein. Normally, this protein helps nerve cells communicate with each other. But when it folds the wrong way, it sticks together and forms deposits that disrupt brain function.
As more Lewy bodies build up, they damage the cells that control memory, thinking, sleep, mood, and movement. This is why people with the disease may develop tremors, stiffness, confusion, hallucinations, or problems with attention.
Doctors often struggle to diagnose Lewy body disease because its symptoms can look like those of other brain disorders. If movement problems appear first, a person may be diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
If memory and thinking problems appear first, doctors may diagnose Lewy body dementia. For many years, the only way to confirm the disease was by examining brain tissue after death. This made it very difficult to identify the illness early or test treatments that might slow it down.
Scientists at Lund University in Sweden have now made an important breakthrough that could change this situation. They developed a new test that can detect signs of Lewy body disease long before symptoms begin. The findings were published in the medical journal Nature Medicine, where researchers described how the test works and what it could mean for patients.
The test analyzes cerebrospinal fluid, the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This fluid carries biological signals that reflect what is happening inside the brain.
The research team studied more than 1,100 adults who were healthy and had no memory or movement problems at the start. When the scientists examined their brain fluid, they found that about one in ten already showed signs of Lewy body disease, even though they felt completely normal.
Over several years, the researchers followed these participants. Those who had early signs in their brain fluid were more likely to develop memory problems, thinking difficulties, or movement issues later.
Some were eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia. This suggests that the disease begins quietly many years before noticeable symptoms appear, and that the new test can detect it during this hidden stage.
Another important discovery involved the sense of smell. Many people who had early signs of the disease also had trouble identifying odors. Loss of smell is already known as an early warning sign for Parkinson’s disease, but this study showed it may also signal Lewy body disease before other symptoms arise.
Because smell tests are simple and inexpensive, researchers believe they could be used to screen older adults and identify those who may need further testing.
Early detection is especially important because scientists are working on new treatments designed to slow or stop the disease. These treatments are most likely to succeed if given before significant brain damage occurs. By identifying the illness years in advance, doctors may one day be able to protect memory, movement, and independence for much longer.
The researchers also noticed that some participants had additional abnormal proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. These individuals tended to decline faster than those with Lewy body disease alone. This finding may help doctors predict how quickly the condition will progress and plan treatment accordingly.
The Swedish team hopes that future advances will lead to an even simpler test, possibly a blood test, similar to new tests being developed for Alzheimer’s disease.
Detecting Lewy body disease through a routine blood sample would make screening easier and more accessible. Although finding the disease proteins in blood is challenging, scientists believe it is achievable with further research.
This discovery offers new hope for people at risk of dementia and movement disorders. Understanding brain diseases earlier could help patients receive support sooner and maintain their quality of life for longer. As research continues, early detection may become one of the most powerful tools in protecting brain health as people age.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about dietary strategies to ward off dementia, and how omega-3 fatty acids fuel your mind.
For more health information, please see recent studies about Choline deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and what to eat (and avoid) for dementia prevention.
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