Study Reveals Higher Prevalence of Lewy Body Disease in Middle-Aged Population

Study Reveals Higher Prevalence of Lewy Body Disease in Middle-Aged Population

(IN BRIEF) A recent study by the University of Helsinki and the University of Tampere suggests that Lewy body disease, the second most common brain degenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s, may be more prevalent in middle-aged individuals than previously believed. Utilizing Finnish forensic autopsy data, researchers found tissue markers of Lewy body disease in nearly one in ten people over 50, even without clinical diagnoses of Parkinson’s or Lewy body diseases. These findings underscore the importance of early detection for more effective treatment strategies targeting degenerative brain diseases. The study, published in the Annals of Neurology, highlights the need for further research to confirm these results and improve therapeutic interventions for individuals at risk.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 26-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Lewy body disease may be more common in middle-aged people than previously thought, according to a recent study by the University of Helsinki and the University of Tampere. In the study, almost one in ten of over 50-year-olds were found to have tissue markers of Lewy body disease in the brain.

Lewy body disease is the second most common brain degenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease. Lewy bodies, deposits of alpha-synuclein protein, are found in the brainstem, limbic system and cerebral cortex. Similar tissue changes are also seen in patients clinically diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Lewy body disease can be difficult to recognise at the beginning of the disease, as it progresses slowly. Symptoms often include movement disturbances, memory problems and psychiatric symptoms.

In their recent study, researchers from the Universities of Helsinki and Tampere investigated for the first time, the occurrence of Lewy body disease markers in young and middle-aged subjects who were not known to suffer from Lewy body or Parkinson’s diseases. Previous similar studies have investigated the occurrence of the disease markers in people over 60 years old.

The researchers found that Lewy body disease changes may begin to develop in the brain already in middle age, even if there are no actual symptoms yet.

“Our findings indicate that Lewy body disease may be more common in people over 50 than previously thought. In the study, we found disease changes in nine percent of people over 50 who did not have a clinical diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or Lewy body disease. However, further studies are needed to confirm the results,” says Associate Professor Liisa Myllykangas from the University of Helsinki.

Earlier diagnosis means more effective treatment

In their study, the researchers used internationally unique Finnish forensic autopsy data, which consists of approximately 600 people aged 16–95 who died outside hospitals.

Myllykangas says that in the future the treatments developed against degenerative brain diseases will be aimed at patients who are in the early stages of the disease, or are at risk of developing the disease.

“Finding out the prevalence of disease changes in younger age groups is therefore important as this will be the most effective time to start therapies,” she comments.

The study has been published in the journal Annals of Neurology.

Original article: Kok EH, Paetau A, Martiskainen M, Lyytikäinen LP, Lehtimäki T, Karhunen P, Myllykangas L. Accumulation of Lewy Related Pathology starts in middle age: The Tampere Sudden Death Study. Annals of Neurology, 2024. DOI: 10.1002/ana.26912

Media Contact:

Liisa Myllykangas
Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY
liisa.myllykangas@helsinki.fi
+358294126415

SOURCE: University of Helsinki