Lewy body disease is one of the most common brain disorders linked to dementia and movement problems, yet many people know very little about it.
The disease affects memory, thinking, behavior, and movement, and it is considered the second most common cause of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. It is also closely connected to Parkinson’s disease, making it a major health concern for older adults around the world.
The condition is caused by the buildup of tiny protein clumps inside the brain. These clumps are known as Lewy bodies and are made from a protein called alpha-synuclein. Under normal conditions, alpha-synuclein helps brain cells function properly.
However, when the protein folds incorrectly, it can stick together and form harmful deposits. Over time, these deposits interfere with communication between brain cells and eventually cause cells to become damaged or die.
The symptoms of Lewy body disease can vary depending on which parts of the brain are affected first. Some people develop movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, stiffness, and slower movement.
Others first experience problems with memory, attention, and thinking, which may lead to a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia. Although the symptoms can look different, both conditions share the same underlying cause: the buildup of Lewy bodies in the brain.
One of the biggest challenges facing doctors has been the difficulty of diagnosing the disease early. For many years, the only way to confirm the presence of Lewy bodies was by examining brain tissue after a person had died. This meant that doctors often had to rely on symptoms alone, which can sometimes overlap with those of other brain disorders.
Now, researchers at Lund University in Sweden have made an important breakthrough that could change the way the disease is detected. Their study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, describes a new test that may identify Lewy body disease years before symptoms become noticeable.
The researchers focused on cerebrospinal fluid, the clear fluid that surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord. This fluid can contain biological clues about what is happening inside the brain. By analyzing samples of this fluid, scientists hoped to detect signs of Lewy body disease long before symptoms appeared.
The team studied more than 1,100 people who showed no signs of memory loss, movement problems, or other symptoms linked to the disease.
Surprisingly, around 10% of these participants already showed evidence of Lewy body-related changes in their cerebrospinal fluid. Although they appeared healthy at the time, the test suggested that disease processes had already begun inside their brains.
As the researchers followed these individuals over time, they found that many of those who tested positive eventually developed difficulties with memory, thinking, or movement. Some later received diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body dementia.
These findings suggest that the disease may begin many years before symptoms become obvious and that the new test can detect these early changes.
Another interesting discovery involved the sense of smell. Many participants who showed signs of Lewy body disease in their cerebrospinal fluid also had problems identifying odors, even though they had no other symptoms.
Loss of smell has long been observed in people with Parkinson’s disease, but this study strengthens the idea that smell changes may be one of the earliest warning signs.
Because of this finding, the researchers believe that smell testing could become a simple screening tool. For example, people over the age of 60 might first take a smell test. Those who show significant difficulties could then undergo more detailed testing, including examination of cerebrospinal fluid, to look for signs of Lewy body disease.
The importance of early diagnosis is growing because researchers are developing new treatments aimed at slowing or stopping the disease process. Like many brain disorders, Lewy body disease causes damage that accumulates over time.
Treatments are likely to be most effective if they are given before large numbers of brain cells have been lost. A test that identifies the disease years before symptoms appear could give doctors a valuable opportunity to intervene earlier.
The study also revealed that some participants with Lewy body disease had additional protein changes commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
These individuals tended to experience faster decline than those who had Lewy body disease alone. This information may help doctors better predict how quickly a patient’s condition is likely to progress and guide treatment decisions in the future.
Looking ahead, the researchers hope to develop an even simpler way to detect the disease. Blood tests are already becoming available for Alzheimer’s disease, and scientists would like to create a similar blood test for Lewy body disease.
Although detecting the relevant proteins in blood is more challenging, advances in technology are making this goal increasingly realistic.
The findings offer new hope for patients and families affected by Lewy body disease. Earlier diagnosis could allow people to receive treatment sooner, participate in clinical trials, and better plan for the future. As research continues, breakthroughs like this may help preserve memory, independence, and quality of life for millions of people around the world.
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