Lewy body facts for kids
A Lewy body is a tiny clump of protein that can form inside brain cells. Think of them like tiny, unwanted "clumps" that build up in important parts of the brain. When these clumps appear, they can stop brain cells from working properly.
Lewy bodies are mostly found in people who have Parkinson's disease. They are also seen in a condition called dementia with Lewy bodies, and sometimes in a type of Alzheimer's disease. These tiny clumps are named after Dr. Frederic Lewy, who first described them.
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What Are Lewy Bodies?
Lewy bodies are made mostly of a protein called alpha-synuclein. This protein is naturally found in the brain, but when it clumps together in an unusual way, it forms Lewy bodies. These clumps can damage brain cells over time.
Scientists are still learning exactly why these clumps form and how they cause problems. They know that when Lewy bodies appear in certain areas of the brain, they can affect movement, memory, and thinking.
Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a brain condition that mainly affects movement. People with Parkinson's often have tremors (shaking), stiffness, and problems with balance. Lewy bodies are a key feature of Parkinson's disease.
In Parkinson's, Lewy bodies often form in brain cells that produce a chemical called dopamine. Dopamine helps control movement. When these cells are damaged by Lewy bodies, the brain doesn't make enough dopamine, leading to movement problems.
Lewy Bodies and Dementia
Lewy bodies can also cause a type of dementia called dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.
In DLB, Lewy bodies are found in parts of the brain that control memory, thinking, and alertness. People with DLB might experience:
- Changes in alertness, sometimes being very sleepy and other times wide awake.
- Seeing things that aren't there (hallucinations).
- Problems with thinking, memory, and problem-solving.
- Movement problems similar to Parkinson's disease.
How Lewy Bodies Affect the Brain
When Lewy bodies form inside brain cells, they can disrupt the normal working of these cells. This can lead to:
- Problems with how brain cells communicate with each other.
- Damage to the cells themselves, sometimes causing them to die.
- A shortage of important brain chemicals, like dopamine.
Understanding Lewy bodies helps doctors and scientists learn more about these brain conditions. It also helps them look for new ways to treat or even prevent these diseases in the future.
Images for kids
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Lewy neurites in a DLB case. Stain application: immunohistochemical
See also
In Spanish: Cuerpo de Lewy para niños
