The Science of Lewy Body Dementia

This week in SciShow News we dissect what a Lewy Body is and what they are capable of doing.

Hosted by: Hank Green
----------
Dooblydoo thanks go to the following Patreon supporters -- we couldn't make SciShow without them! Shout out to Justin Ove, David Campos, Chris Peters, Philippe von Bergen, Lilly Grainger, Happy Birthday!!, Fatima Iqbal, and Justin Lentz.
----------

Or help support us by becoming our patron on Patreon:
----------
Looking for SciShow elsewhere on the internet?

Sources:

[MyUsernameIsAlsoBort]

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?

[jameylausen]

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!

[zrebbesh]

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.

[ProjectHousewife]

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.

[GLaDTheresCake]

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!

[Shogan]

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.

[macaronnie]

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

[laelsauter]

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.

[jimsmith]

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.

[marymahoney]

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!!

[moonygoony]

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.

[DodgePolara]

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 :(

[Nettietwixt]

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.

[patriciasantovasi]

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

[RonaldReaganRocks]

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.

[Baldvinable]

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.

[pretentiousteatime]

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

[mrtommy]

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.

[yuhand_ayaninura]

He passed on and gave way for Lewy Body Dementia to be more exposed, encouraging more research for probable prevention as well as treatment and hopefully sure. That is a blessing in disguise at it's finest, although there was grievance. Still and will always miss that great man ⚘⚘⚘⚘⚘

[yellowskittle]

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.