Lewy body diseases: possible new directions in prophylaxis and therapy

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.