Friday, December 2, 2016

Late Robin Williams had Lewy Body Dementia

I soberly read with great interest a story about Robin Williams that explained that his Parkinson's Disease condition was actually a Parkinson's Plus syndrome called Lewy Body Dementia.  Lewy bodies (named for Lewy who originally identified them) are protein clumps that form in the motor center (basal ganglia) in Parkinson's Disease thus destroying cells that control normal movements.  In Lewy Body Dementia these clumps are also found in the cortical brain tissue where thinking, planning and emotions occur.

Robin's condition would include the tradtional P.D. symptoms: slow movements, balance trouble and tremors.  Because his diagnosis was ultimately LBD, he also would have suffered from: hallucinations, delusions, executive function issues, depression and severe mood troubles.  Read more about Mr. Williams' condition here.

What a great talent and such a highly intelligent person.  After he died, I recorded a song in the form of a video to reflect the way Robin's last years, weeks and days may have been like to experience.  --Patient-Online



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