Diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies in clinical practice: a literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To review the research data about dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and describe those clinical features and investigations that will enhance more accurate diagnosis in day-to-day practice.


METHODS
A literature search using MEDLINE, Psychlit, Psychinfo and Cochrane databases was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of DLB is important now that treatment is available using cognitive enhancers and because of the risk to patients with DLB who are prescribed neuroleptics. The use of consensus criteria, despite their limitations, and judicious use of ancillary investigations, especially neuroimaging and neuropsychological tests, will enhance diagnostic accuracy.
Singh
Dhiren
D
Aged Person's Mental Health Service, Southern Health, Melbourne, Vic., Australia. dhiren.singh@southernhealth.org.au
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D014202:Tremor / Q000209:etiology