In which type of dementia do you expect to see visual hallucinations and parkinsonism?

Diffuse Lewy body dementia is characterized by the presence of both visual hallucinations and parkinsonism. This type of dementia occurs due to the accumulation of abnormal protein deposits known as Lewy bodies in the brain. Patients may initially present with cognitive decline, and as the disease progresses, they often experience fluctuations in alertness and attention, which can be quite distinct from other types of dementia.

Visual hallucinations are a defining feature of diffuse Lewy body dementia. These hallucinations can be vivid and detailed, often leading to distress and confusion in patients. In addition, parkinsonism—symptoms such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors—manifests in this condition, resembling the motor symptoms seen in Parkinson's disease. The combination of cognitive impairment, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonian features is what primarily distinguishes diffuse Lewy body dementia from other dementias.

In contrast, frontotemporal dementia typically presents with personality changes and issues with executive function rather than significant visual hallucinations. Alzheimer's disease is primarily associated with memory loss and issues with language and problem-solving, and visual hallucinations are less common. Vascular dementia is generally characterized by cognitive decline following strokes or vascular pathology, without the prominent visual hallucinations or parkinson