Newswise — ATLANTA — (December 12, 2013) — A new informational booklet on Lewy body dementias has been published by the National Institutes of Health for people living with LBD, their families and healthcare providers. The booklet was a collaboration among the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a complex, challenging, and surprisingly common brain disease. Although lesser known than its “cousins” Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, LBD is not a rare disorder. More than 1 million Americans are affected by its disabling changes in the ability to think and move. This 40-page booklet helps people with LBD, their families, and professionals learn more about the disease and resources for coping.

“This publication signifies a major milestone Lewy body dementias,” stated Angela Taylor, Director of Programs at the Lewy Body Dementia Association. “To my knowledge, it is the first educational publication on LBD by any federal agency. We applaud the commitment that NIA and NINDS have shown to provide resources about Lewy body dementias and place vital information in the hands of LBD families and their healthcare providers.”

To download a PDF copy of the publication or to order print copies, visit the Alzheimer’s Disease Educational and Referral Center at http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/lewy-body-dementia.

The Lewy Body Dementia AssociationThe Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the Lewy body dementias (LBD), supporting patients, their families and caregivers, and promoting scientific advances. Through outreach, education and research, LBDA supports those affected by Lewy body dementias. To learn more about LBD and LBDA please visit www.lbda.org.

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