Lewy Body Dementias: Controversies and Drug Development

Neurotherapeutics. 2022 Jan;19(1):55-67. doi: 10.1007/s13311-021-01161-z. Epub 2021 Dec 2.

Abstract

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative dementias. Clinical trials for symptomatic and disease-modifying therapies in LBD remain a national research priority, but there are many challenges in both past and active drug developments in LBD. This review highlights the controversies in picking the appropriate populations, interventions, target selections, and outcome measures, which are all critical components of clinical trial implementation in LBD. The heterogeneity of LBD neuropathology and clinical presentations, limited understanding of core features such as cognitive fluctuations, and lack of validated LBD-specific outcome measures and biomarkers represent some of the major challenges in LBD trials.

Keywords: Clinical trial as topic [MeSH term]; Dementia with Lewy bodies; Drug therapy [MeSH term]; Lewy body dementia [MeSH term]; Parkinson disease dementia; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease*
  • Biomarkers
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Development
  • Humans
  • Lewy Body Disease* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Biomarkers