title: Lewy body diseases: possible new directions in prophylaxis and therapy.
abstract: No therapy exists for the Lewy body diseases, which are an important cause of dementia. We regard Lewy body diseases and Parkinson disease as components of a spectrum of disorders having a degree of Alzheimer disease neuropathology. Immunologic features of Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease suggest the involvement of similar phenomena in Lewy body diseases pathogenesis. Based on the efficacy of anti-inflammatory medication in arresting the progression of Alzheimer disease and the presence of common immunologic features in Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease, a case is made for therapeutic intervention at the immune system level. Anti-inflammatory medications appear to be an appropriate therapeutic approach to Lewy body diseases.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oken
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species