Lewy Body Dementia: A Commonly Missed but Treatable Condition—Why Specialist Diagnosis Matters

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is one of the most complex yet often misunderstood types of dementia. While it affects thousands of people across the UK, it is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked entirely—causing patients to miss out on treatments that could dramatically improve their quality of life.

The good news is that LBD is eminently treatable. With the right diagnosis and specialist care, many of its symptoms can be managed effectively, allowing individuals to live with greater independence, dignity, and wellbeing.

What Makes Lewy Body Dementia So Complex?

LBD is far more than a memory problem. It impacts multiple areas of brain and body function—cognition, movement, mood, behaviour, sleep, and even essential physical functions such as blood pressure and digestion. This is because LBD arises from the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain, which disrupt several vital neurotransmitter systems.

Because of this complexity, LBD often sits at the intersection of three key specialties:

• Neurology (for its effects on movement and brain networks)
• Neuropsychiatry (for its influence on mood, hallucinations, and behavioural changes)
• Geriatric Medicine (since it primarily affects older adults with often multiple coexisting conditions)

Accurately diagnosing and managing LBD requires a deep understanding of all three areas—something that many general private memory clinics and services are not equipped to provide as they do not have specialists with the required training and experience.

The Problem of Misdiagnosis

Lewy Body Dementia is frequently mistaken for:

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Vascular dementia
• Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)
• Depression or anxiety
• Or even primary psychiatric conditions such as psychosis

In some cases, patients are started on antipsychotic medications that are not suitable for LBD and can actually worsen symptoms or cause serious side effects. This highlights the vital importance of correct diagnosis and careful treatment planning.

At Dr. Singhai’s clinic, we have seen many patients who have spent months or even years under the wrong diagnosis—missing the opportunity to receive treatments that could significantly improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Why Lewy Body Dementia Is Treatable

Although LBD is a neurodegenerative condition, it is also one of the more treatable forms of dementia because many of its symptoms are linked to specific neurotransmitter deficiencies:

• Acetylcholine: Low levels affect memory, attention, and thinking. These can be improved with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as rivastigmine or donepezil.
• Dopamine: Low dopamine levels contribute to movement problems, low mood, and apathy. Carefully selected dopaminergic medications can help.
• Serotonin: Depression and anxiety can be addressed with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

Sleep disturbances, hallucinations, and behavioural challenges can also be carefully managed, often with a combination of medication and non-drug therapies. The key is that treatment must be highly individualised and expertly balanced to avoid side effects and optimise benefits.

Dr. Singhai: Unique Expertise at the Crossroads of Care

This is where Dr. Singhai brings a level of expertise that is rare and invaluable.

With extensive training and experience in cognitive disorders,movement disorders , neuropsychiatry, and geriatric medicine, Dr. Singhai is uniquely positioned to:

• Accurately diagnose even subtle or complex cases of Lewy Body Dementia.
• Differentiate LBD from Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, or psychiatric conditions.
• Design personalised, carefully balanced treatment plans that improve cognition, movement, mood, and quality of life.

Many patients under Dr. Singhai’s care who were previously misdiagnosed elsewhere have gone on to live fuller, better lives with the correct diagnosis and expert management.

When to Seek Specialist Help

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following:

• Visual hallucinations (seeing things that aren’t there)
• Fluctuating confusion or alertness
• New movement difficulties (such as stiffness, slowness, or tremor)
• Sudden mood changes, anxiety, or depression
• Sleep disturbances or acting out dreams

…it is essential to seek a specialist memory and movement assessment.

A Message of Hope

With the right diagnosis and treatment, Lewy Body Dementia is not only manageable—it can offer patients and families real hope for improved function and quality of life.

 Contact us  today for expert-led assessment, personalised care, and the support you need to navigate Lewy Body Dementia with confidence.