Young-onset dementia with Lewy Bodies presenting with apathy and alexithymia

ABSTRACT

A diagnosis of young-onset dementia can pose a significant challenge for the clinician. We present a young patient with a very unusual presentation of Dementia with Lewy Bodies. The lack of motor symptoms and his marked apathy delayed his diagnosis. His symptoms were thought to be due to depression based on normal structural imaging and the psychiatric nature of his presentation. An extensive work-up was performed. Evidence of a structural neurodegenerative process was provided by the HMPAO-SPECT. Cardiac MIBG confirmed the diagnosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Dementia with Lewy Bodies
• apathy
• alexithymia
• young-onset dementia

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support this case report are available from the corresponding author, SK, upon reasonable request.

Written consent

Written consent has been obtained from the patient. We are grateful to him and his wife.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13554794.2024.2354545.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.