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Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain whose changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. Lewy body dementia is one of the most common causes of dementia. LBD affects more than 1 million individuals in the United States. People typically show symptoms at age 50 or older, although sometimes younger people have LBD. LBD appears to affect slightly more men than women. Diagnosing LBD can be challenging. Early LBD symptoms are often...

She describes how, toward the end of his life, “Robin was losing his mind and he was aware of it.” He was struggling with paranoia, anxiety, delusions, insomnia, and other symptoms both physical and mental, and for months, he and his wife could get no answers about what was happening to him. He was eventually diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but as his symptoms continued to worsen, he grew “weary” and it felt like they were both “drowning.” Then, ultimately, he took his own life. It was only after his death that an autopsy revealed Williams actually had Lewy body disease...