Diagnostic criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies reconsidered

The validity of the consensus criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) has been questioned. The authors, therefore, performed analyses of 242 publ ished cases with clinicopathological correlation of DLB. The prevalence of specific consensus criteria in 69 patients reported on 41, the Newcastle an d Nottingham groups in England (Group N) were compared with their prevalenc e in papers from all other investigators (Group O). Analysis of the entire sample (Groups N and O combined) revealed 64% with parkinsonism, 66%, with co-occurring parkinsonism and dementia, 39% with visual hallucinations (VH) , and 30% with cognitive fluctuations (CF). Group N had significantly, more CF and co-occurring parkinsonism and dementia. Dopaminergic drugs were ass ociated with the presence of VH. Although selection factors may, have contr ibuted to investigator differences, parkinsonism and co-occurrence will) de mentia appear to be the most consistent diagnostic criteria for DLB.