Objective: Characteristic parkinsonism is the major comorbidity of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). We aimed to differentiate DLB from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with motor dysfunction using a composite scale with a characteristic motor dysfunction questionnaire (MDQ) and dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging. It could help detect DLB easily in healthcare settings without movement disorder specialists.Methods: This is a two-phase study. In the design phase, seven questions were selected and composed of a novel MDQ. In the test phase, all participants with DLB, AD, or non-dementia (ND) control completed dementia and parkinsonism survey, the novel designed questionnaire, DAT imaging, and composite scales of MDQ and DAT. The cutoff scores of the MDQ, semiquantitative analysis of the striatal–background ratio (SBR) and visual rating of DAT, and the composite scale of MDQ and DAT for discriminating DLB from AD or ND were derived and compared.Results: A total of 277 participants were included in this study (126 with DLB, 86 with AD, and 65 with ND). Compared with the AD or ND groups, the DLB group showed a significantly higher frequency in all seven items in the MDQ and a significantly lower SBR. For discrimination of DLB from non-DLB with MDQ, SBR, and composite scale, the cutoff scores of 3/2, 1.37/1.38, and 6/5 were suggested for the diagnosis of DLB with the sensitivities/specificities of 0.91/0.72, 0.91/0.80, and 0.87/0.93, respectively. The composite scale significantly improved the accuracy of discrimination compared with either the MDQ or SBR.Conclusion: This study showed that the novel designed simple questionnaire was a practical screening tool and had similar power to DAT scanning to detect DLB. The questionnaire can be applied in clinical practice and population studies for screening DLB. In addition, the composite scale of MDQ and DAT imaging further improved the diagnostic accuracy, indicating the superiority of the dual-model diagnostic tool.
Read Full Article (External Site)
Dr. David Lowemann, M.Sc, Ph.D., is a co-founder of the Institute for the Future of Human Potential, where he leads the charge in pioneering Self-Enhancement Science for the Success of Society. With a keen interest in exploring the untapped potential of the human mind, Dr. Lowemann has dedicated his career to pushing the boundaries of human capabilities and understanding.
Armed with a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D. in his field, Dr. Lowemann has consistently been at the forefront of research and innovation, delving into ways to optimize human performance, cognition, and overall well-being. His work at the Institute revolves around a profound commitment to harnessing cutting-edge science and technology to help individuals lead more fulfilling and intelligent lives.
Dr. Lowemann’s influence extends to the educational platform BetterSmarter.me, where he shares his insights, findings, and personal development strategies with a broader audience. His ongoing mission is shaping the way we perceive and leverage the vast capacities of the human mind, offering invaluable contributions to society’s overall success and collective well-being.