Patrick Stewart Died After Battling Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. What to Know

Legendary actor Patrick Stewart passed away at age 86 this week. His death came after a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,” according to a statement posted on Stewart’s official Instagram page.Stewart, known for iconic roles such as Captain Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier, had not publicly disclosed his diagnoses prior to his death.Both Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia are progressive neurodegenerative conditions causing symptoms such as issues with memory, thinking and attention. While Lewy body dementia may be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, they can also occur together. What Is Lewy Body Dementia?Lewy body dementia is the second most common form of degenerative dementia, TODAY.com explained previously, with Alzheimer’s disease being the first. When someone is diagnosed with both Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia, it’s called “mixed dementia,” according to the Alzheimer’s Association.The condition occurs when a buildup of protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, form in the brain’s nerve cells. This specifically affects areas of the brain involved in regulating our movement, thinking and memory, the Mayo Clinic explains.Many people became familiar with Lewy body dementia after comedian and actor Robin Williams’ death put it into the spotlight. And earlier this year Ted Turner died following a Lewy body dementia diagnosis. Overlap in Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia SymptomsIt can sometimes be challenging to diagnose these conditions because there is overlap in some symptoms — and they can occur together.Like Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s is caused by the buildup of protein “plaques,” leading to changes in cognition, particularly memory. And in both cases, the diseases are progressive, meaning symptoms will get worse over time.However, the Mayo Clinic notes that those with Lewy body dementia may also experience other characteristic symptoms, such as:HallucinationsMovement changes, including signs of Parkinson’s diseaseSleep disturbances, such as acting out dreamsPoor regulation of bodily functions manifesting as drops in blood pressure or dizziness, for instanceNot everyone with Lewy body dementia will notice their disease progressing in the same way. There is currently no cure for Lewy body dementia and the disease is complex, but there are some medications that can be helpful in managing some of the symptoms. After a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia, people live an average of five to eight years, the Cleveland Clinic notes.