The key feature is Lewy Bodies (=intracytoplasmic neuronal inclusion bodies) in substantia nigra, paralimbic and neocortical areas.
Since this would obviously only be confirmed post-mortem diagnosis is made clinically:
- Parkinsonian features
- fluctuating cognitive loss
- visual hallucinations
Neuroleptics must be avoided as their use would risk inducing irreversible Parkinsonism.
Treatments which may help include donepezil and rivastigmine.
Next up - malignant hyperthermia
