Pharmacological strategies for managing dementia with Lewy bodies: an expert review of symptom-targeted care.

INTRODUCTION

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer's disease, characterized by a complex combination of cognitive, neuropsychiatric, motor, autonomic, and sleep-related symptoms. Symptom fluctuation, polypharmacy risks, and high sensitivity to commonly used drugs present unique challenges for management.

AREAS COVERED: This review provides a comprehensive overview of the symptomatic management of DLB, organized by clinical domains. It critically evaluates current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies for cognitive impairment, hallucinations, parkinsonism, autonomic dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. Evidence is drawn from clinical trials, meta-analyses, and extrapolated findings from related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

EXPERT OPINION: Effective DLB management requires an individualized, symptom-prioritized approach that carefully balances therapeutic benefit with potential adverse effects, particularly given the high risk of antipsychotic sensitivity and treatment-induced worsening of symptoms. Despite recent progress, evidence remains sparse for many symptom domains. Greater investment in DLB-specific clinical trials and development of targeted therapies is urgently needed to improve patient outcomes.