The Science of Lewy Body Dementia 

Robin Williams is one of the only celebrities that I get depressed about every time I remember that he's gone. Anyone else like that?

I remember him. He used to hang out in Golden Gate Park, very quietly, and people watch. Spotting him was like being in on a little secret. I was (and am!) a huge fan, but I figured he didn't want anybody bugging him or drawing attention to him, and I never intruded on his space. He was complicated - flawed, as are we all. Subject to occasional depression the same way I am, among other things, though his turned out to be terminal. The world is a bit sadder with him gone.

my dad died from this six years ago at just 52. although I hate that robin Williams had to die I am glad this horrible disease is getting some attention. it is a horrible thing to go through.

My grandpa is currently dealing with Lewy Body dementia, and I've done a bit of research already, but this really summed it up very well! I'm very grateful that it's finally getting more coverage. Thanks Hank!

idk why robin Williams death hurts me so much, like seeing his picture right now made me tear up. I miss him.

My grandmother died of the effects of Lewy body dementia at the age of 65, so I am glad you guys are making people aware of this terrible illness. Keep up the good work Sci-show peeps!

My step father is 58 and was just diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. Thank you for this explanation and bringing this the attention it needs. He experienced the confusion, hallucinations, tremors, inability to have normal conversations. He went from looking like a 240 lbs line backer to now a very skinny 160 lbs.

Very Bad illness to have. Watching my Dad slowly go down hill the past 3 years was a nightmare taking his life at the end this past April. RIP Father :(

Thank you for doing this video. My grandfather passed away with Lewy Body disease while I was in college. He was an incredibly vibrant person and it felt like he changed overnight. He had been a police officer, army ranger and avid hunter. The delusions were scary and he felt so powerless. No one had even heard of this disease and we were in no way prepared for what it would do. I'm so sorry for Robin Williams and his family and I'm thankful that you could shed some light and spread awareness.

A friend's Mom died slowly of what was said to be a brain tumor. During later stages of her treatments and care, docs prescribed a certain medication that my friend believed caused her Mom to get what appeared to be Parkinson's disease along with dementia. But even prior to that stage of deterioration, she had been experiencing hallucinations, confusion, and lots of other problems with her mind and body. Now, after watching this, I am left wondering if she was misdiagnosed entirely.

My brother got diagnosed with Parkinson's at age 29. He's 40 now and just got diagnosed with dementia a few months ago. He's been dealing with hallucinations for years now. Sadly it's probably Lewy body. It's heartbreaking to watch him rapidly go downhill.

I've been binge watching scishow and crashcourse for the past few days and I feel like I have learned a lot this week! Thanks!!

My father's brother died of lewy body dementia in april, and I can sure you that it is even worse than cancer, it is absoloutely horrifying. I watched my brothers father slowly die within his own body over the course of a few years since I was a kid. So if you know anybody that has or knows someone with lewy body dementia, please be careful.

Robin did have more advanced symptoms of LBD, though. He was having motor skill problems and psychological issues. He was experiencing paranoia etc. This was revealed in a recent interview with his wife.

Lewy Body is an awful disease- I watched my grandfather suffer through it for several years before he passed away.

Rest in peace to one of the greatest actors and comedians of our time, Robin Williams.

thank you for making this! I have a close family friend who has lewy body dementia and is having pretty bad symptoms at the moment. This was very informative and helpful

Excellent presentation. Clear, concise and well spoken. Explains it well and accurately. My mom was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia. She too had all the symptoms described here. She lived with my family, with her disease, for 8 years, slowly getting worse and worse. The hallucinations were demonic and horrific. She is finally at peace. This is one evil disease...........

Thanks for making this. My dad had Lewy Body dementia and died in the late 90s when I was 18. There was so little information around then and it was hard understanding what was going on. I know many of the symptoms and drug side effects were terrifying for him. I've just shown this to my 75yr old mother and she's so happy to see more awareness of it and to get more of an understanding of what went on.

this is really helpful, my granny has been diagnosed with this recently.

Great video, thank you. However, you mentioned Lewy Body dementia is hard to treat as people are sensitive to anti psychotic medication. It is recommended anti psychotics are avoided when a diagnosis of Lewy Body dementia is made. Recommended pharmacological treatment includes cholinesterase inhibitors, which assist in reducing agitation, reducing psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairment.

I helped take care of my grandfather who had Lewy Body Dementia his last summer before he entered hospice care. It's amazing how far our understanding has come since then (that was the late 90's). Thank you for helping to bring awareness! Very few people have heard of it when I bring it up.

This is why I make sure I have everything I need to exit stage left in my cabinet.

My mom is 90 and is about a year into symptoms. She is essentially in a different time period. She thinks my dad is still alive, her kids are her childhood friends, thinks she's traveling to places...SeaWorld, Vegas, that she's at a dance. She thinks she has floors in her house that aren't there, she sees children, cares for them, then hates them. She thinks people are sneaking up to her house and that various animals are trying to enter through the windows. She sometimes thinks she's stuck on a train and begs us to take her home. Sometimes she's furious toward my deceased father and demands to talk to him. Sometimes he sits near her, wrapped as a mummy. It's like she's trapped in a nightmare and we can't really get her back.

It's scary how many things, involving the brain, begin with a diagnosis of something else. I'm a prime example, but I don't blame my physicians for the early misdiagnosis. I'm content that what ails me was finally found and is being treated with medications that slow down the process happening in my brain/nervous system. I may not walk again, but that's par for the course. Gotta stay positive! PEACE

Daym, he was famous, had money, had friends, had everything.... I need to redefine what I consider happiness. RIP

I didn't know Robin Williams had this. My grandma had Lewy Body Dementia. This disease is brutal, it affects both cognitive and motor functions. We had a strained relationship before the disease really set in, she was a very critical person. I still wonder how much of that was really her and how much may have been early stages of the disease (she wasn't always like that). Either way, she softened up a lot and I got several good years of really knowing how much she loved me before she passed. I was able to let go of all the critical years. I miss her, I love her and I have so much respect for how brave she was through the whole ordeal of this disease.

Thank you SciShow for covering this topic tastefully! I tend not to watch videos on Robin Williams because I hate to see media using him as clickbait. This was informative and relevant.

Thank you so much for shedding some awareness on this. My grandmother suffers from this and it gives me a little reassurance to know more about it and know this may reach others with more means than myself to find a cure. My grandma will be 70 this March and until 8 months ago she lived by herself and could drive, she suddenly started having severe hallucinations and had to be moved to an assisted care home and can't walk or feed herself. It's a terrible thing for a person to have to go through and it's scary to know that even the strongest people you know can be brought down by small biological malfunctions. I hope this spreads like a virus

My grandmother had Lewy body dementia and my mother had fronto-temporal dementia. Though is is sad that Robin Williams death is what is bringing forward other types of dementia to the common person, I am grateful for others increasing their personal information on the subject.

My grandfather passed away from this disease,and its been 18years and i still miss him.Robin Williams is my favorite comedian and I miss him also.

SciShow staff, I think your work might help my family. My grand-ma has been diagnosed several years ago with PD and depression, and for a year or so she has slided into full dementia that doctors put on the account of old age. Except that what she has is full on what you are describing here. I've looked at specialized websites, and it does sound like she has been misdiagnosed from starters :/ I just notified my mother of this possibility, and she said she will read what I have found, but she doesn't know how to say to doctors that they might have been wrong :/ Anyway, even if it turns out it's not what she has, I want to thank you for talking about this, and raising awareness about illnesses.

It changes the reality that he lived in very substantially, and being a successful comedian is very limited in it's rewards too, people only care about people if they have been somehow related to each other with a similar experience or talent; having all of those robbed from you, and knowing that you're getting older with no hope of longevity happening with health for profit, it made it a very bleak future for prospects of retiring. Slowly losing who you are and what you've been to a disease that changes your reality and I'm sure to a large extent, someone's emotions and feelings of "fitness" and being "sound". My heart goes out to Mr. Williams family, having lost members of my own family to a debilitating mental illness.

Estelle Getty (Sophia of the Golden Girls) died of this disease. I believe I heard that the correct diagnosis was only made after her death, and that she had been misdagnosed as having Alzheimer's.

My grandmother has Lewis body & it’s lasting so long, over a decade now. She’s in her late 80s & I just wish it would all end. It crushes me to visit her bc of her symptoms. It’s just a very sad disease.

Lewy body dementia is the second most common *in elderly patients*. Vascular dementia is the second most common. Great video.

My mother died this September on the 22nd from Parkinson's. I imagine having either one of these diseases is not a pretty sight😞

Thank you for this video. I saw an interview with Bobcat Goldthwait a while back where he said he thought that Robin Williams suffered from this disease. I knew nothing of it and had never heard of it at that time. I'm glad that you have explained it further to me now. Thank you very much! R. I. P. Robin - none of us know What Dreams May Come on the other side. Here's hoping that all of yours came true.

Yes its comforting to know my childhood friend and teacher is dead because it was either that or living trapped in his body. Thanks guys I'm gonna go sob uncontrollably again.

That's really interesting as prions are also just regular proteins that are folded the wrong way and trigger the bad-fold in others.

My father definitely had Lewy Body dementia, but years before he was diagnosed with Parkinson's, but now I'm kind of confused because his Parkinson's was atypical. He did not have the tremors, but he had many many of the other symptoms of Parkison's. Like bad balance and rigidity, posture problems, trouble sleeping, masked face, freezing episodes when he was walking. But looking at Lewy Body dementia symptoms I'm thinking his worsening condition was definitely from the Lewdy Body dementia. He was losing fine motor function, had no spacial sense of where his body was in relation to to his environment or where any part of his body was in relation to the rest of it. And the kicker: hallucinations, so many hallucinations. When they happened during the day they weren't bad, he knew they were hallucinations and he didn't take them seriously (seeing people or cats or a ticker tape of words across his vision), but if they happened at night, woven in with dreams, he insisted they were real no matter how ridiculous they were, usually troops of people walking into his room and bothering him. Sadly he was on carbidopa-levodopa so long it was having a rebound affect and were making these symptoms worse. The last time I really saw and spoke to my father was a week or so before his death before his meds had kicked in. The contrast was frightening. I just wish we had reduced his dose sooner than we did or even taken him off of it entirely. But hindsight is 20-20 and now I can't do anything except speculate, regret and cry.

This is so strange, I just lost my grandmother to Lewy Body dementia this past week.

well explained! I wish we can even partly be as good as you guys!

Can you do a episode on the effects of cholesterol medications and how it ruins the ppl that take it ? please. my grandmother takes this and becomes a completely different person. And upon researching this Ive found that she is not the only one this has happened too. Its really weird and needs to be known. maybe others are going thru the same things I am. THANK YOU

Thank you for sharing this. My best friends husband died 3yrs ago from LBD...it was devastating.

Thank you SciShow for bringing awareness to this disease. I know it only because I know someone with this diagnosis. It's a horrible disease, rough on him and his family. Here's hoping for a cure someday!

A resident at the rehabilitation center I work at has Lewy body dementia and is just the sweetest guy.

A really solid summary of Lewy Body dementia. Well done

Thank you for doing this video. Like many people, until Robin Williams died, I had never even heard of LBD. My mother died from Alzheimer's Disease four years ago, which was very hard to deal with. However, my father now has LBD, and by comparison, Alzheimer's was a walk in the park. My mother stayed sweet and happy through to the end. I don't remember the last time my father smiled, and it takes nothing at all to set him off into an angry tirade. Most of the time he doesn't do too badly, but last week he went to bed fine, and the next day he had gone to "visit the fairies." He was up multiple times a night with various hallucinations, and I spent my time during the day moving things that weren't there, finding things that didn't exist, have, and generally trying to keep the peace. One of the hardest things is that he has absolutely no idea the there is anything wrong with him, and some of the things he does are way out there. In his mind he's perfectly normal, but we now have to keep all doors locked to prevent him wandering off. I am on antidepressants and antianxiety medications, and being a caregiver is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.

Everyone needs to watch Robin Williams Movie....."What Dreams May Come",and if you have seen it,what did you all think ?!

To add to confusion, people with Parkinson's disease can also have hallucinations, and they are quite common. My brother who died last year from Parkinson's disease had hallucinations and delusions.

I am glad I watched this. I was confused by the term Lewy Body Dementia and was thinking it was some sort of dementia regarding the body, not necessarily the mind. Now I understand and I'm thankful. My aunt has Alzheimer's and I think it's good to learn about how these things work.

Which makes me wonder what relation Lewy Bodies have to essential tremor (which I get to enjoy). My doctor told me that I'd won the lottery. I either had Parkinsons or ET. Parkinsons tremors happens with relaxed muscles; ET happens when you try to use muscles (when they get tensed). So no shakes when I'm sittin' around doing nothing but pick up a screw driver or a soldering iron and it's "watch out, Hanna, he's got a knife."

Many people forget that Estelle Getty also had and died from Lewy Body Dementia as well.

I work with demented people in a nursing home, and like 90% sure that one of our patients have LBD, it at least seems that he as some form of all of these symptoms.

My grandpa had Lewy Body Dementia but it was diagnosed as Parkinson's. The doctors told him that his hallucinations were a side effect from taking so many medications.

I love this channel, thanks Hank and team!

Great quick take on DLB! Thank you for bringing more awareness to this disease.

An excellent, concise explanation! Thank you!

Thanks for sharing such a wide range of information about Lewy Body Dementia.

i suspect this is what my father suffered from. he didn't have parkinson's, but he did have dementia and was once given anti-psychotics at a rehab home and had a very serious reaction to it. i blamed the doctor for prescribing it and told them to never give it to him again. instead of leaving him in rehab for a month i had him moved back to his adult foster care and told his caregiver that she was getting another $1000 that month as combat pay. she more than earned every penny. we are still friends today.

My grandma just died today from LBD + Parkinsons. My heart goes out to anyone with this disease or a loved one suffering.

I just learned that my grandfather was diagnosed with this and I came here for more info and comfort. Thanks guys

Amazing how much you can learn from this site.

Great, informative video. Well worth the watch

My father is in the late stages of LB Dementia. It is heartbreaking. But maybe one day science can find a way to treat it.

My grandfather had it, and it was terrible. He was in top physical condition prior to it, so he stayed alive for over a decade after the symptoms started, but like many people with relatives with Alzheimer's know, it's tough to see that sharp, funny and creative person turn in to a shell who barely knows his children, has trouble with his first language and needs help to go to the bathroom.

Lewy Body Dementia sounds more like what my dad has rather than Parkinson's which he was diagnosed with last year. He has trouble sleeping, see things/people that aren't there, and even has conversations with himself. His doctor said it was Parkinson due to the muscle tremors and instability.

The President of Space? I don't think I could handle that responsibility...

very informative. thank you.

My grandmother died of this. Looked like parkinsons + alzheimers.

as a medical student i admit this video is very educational and detailed the only error i detected is that Lewy Body Dementia is not the second cause of Dementia, but it is the third , after Alzhimer's Disease and Vascular Dementia.

This video was wildly accurate. I appreciate that!

Excellent video.

We learned how to stay alive for long, but we cant figure out how to live long and healthy.

Congrats, SR Foxley!

Information on lewy body dementia was great slowing down and sharing all the information would be of great help thank you so much

thank you.

Too soon... RIP Robin Williams

thanks - this opens up a whole new world of fears

My grandmother had Lewy Body Dementia, she passed to be with Jesus on September 5. Her birthday was yesterday, and she would have been 85. However, Sci Show, I have a question, if this is possibly a mutation then could this be hereditary and genetic?

Thanks SR FOXLEY!

Good job, thank you

Six years have gone by, and Robin Williams is still the one celebrity that causes tears when I think of him. What a lovely soul, what a creative talent... We all are so lucky to have been blessed by having him in our lives! I hope you're in Paradise, dear man... **wipes tears**

Thank you.

Brain diseases are frightening. Having hallucinations, not being able to control your body, and eventually losing your mind to the point where you don't remember people or who you are is possibly worse than death.

Well done.

My grandmother Roberta, was a farmers wife and she also had Lewy bodys dementia. Diagnosed at age 61, she had her dementia for 14 years until her passing at 75. She was lovely - could never break her spirit and was so gentle. It was heart breaking to watch her deteriate every day (I lived with my grandparents), where my grandfather would care for her non-stop around the clock - he respected and loved her so much. There were hundreds of moments where her confusion was so overwhelming for her, she would get deeply upset. Forgetting where she was and her own name even. Let alone others names. Watching her speak to inanimate objects, thinking they were people. Dementia as a whole is horrific, would never wish it upon my worst enemy. I admire any scientist or doctor, that is working their arse off to find a cure or treatment. The thought of forgetting your life, you worked so hard to have and love, breaks my heart. Really is hard to swallow.

This is an excellent job of making LBD understandable - thank you for this.

Thank you so much for making this video! My grandpa died from this in 2015. He was in the advanced stages of it and it was absolutely heartbreaking.

My mom's best friend's younger brother died of this, he was only in his 50s when he was diagnosed and he lived 13 years with this horrific nightmare. He died earlier this year, and it was such a relief.

Final reports came out on Robin Williams and he was exhibiting the most severe those doctors have ever seen. He was a mentor to me when it came to comedy and laughter and will always hold a special place in my heart. May he continue to bring laughter and happiness through his works of art.

The world lost a great man that day, condolences to his family

This story is full of sadness. We lost a wonderful entertainer/actor/comic in Robin Williams at least 2 decades before what should have been. And all those who suffer this, I do hope there is a solution in sight.

What a video !

He always struck me as someone with a lot of deep rooted sadness and problems of some kind. His humor had a manic quality I never found very interesting or funny, plus it felt like he had no real control of it. As an actor tho, he seemed to be able to channel whatever depressions and darknesses that were inside of him to better, and more focused expression, and I found him compelling in most of his dramatic roles. Wish there had been ways to get him the help and relief he so much deserved..

I LOVE YOU HANK!!

My dad died two weeks ago from Parkinson’s and dementia. His neurologist said it was PD-Dementia Complex but I believe his dementia was Lewy Body dementia. He had all the symptoms. He had lots of hallucinations, mood swings, depression, apathy, inability to control bodily functions...everything, all at the same time when Parkinson’s was starting. The dementia was so aggressive he became nonverbal in less than 5 years. The dementia and PD caused swallowing problems which led to a pneumonia. That’s how dementia kills. 😭

a horrible disease so frightening for the person my mom is quickly declining and it's just awful executive functions gone in the snap of a finger, mood swings if you can call it that night and day lost ability to walk without assistance , fits if fright then swings to aggressiveness completely powerless to help awful awful disease

Watching this cause my grandpa has this. Too bad there's no treatment or cure :/