Final answer:
Lewy body dementia impacts the cerebral cortex, limbic cortex, hippocampus, midbrain, basal ganglia, brain stem, and olfactory pathways, leading to various cognitive, emotional, and motor symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lewy body dementia (LBD) affects several brain regions with the presence of abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies. Lewy bodies are found in the cerebral cortex, which is involved in functions like information processing and memory, the limbic cortex which deals with emotions and behavior, and the hippocampus which plays a crucial role in memory formation. They also appear in the midbrain and brain stem, which are associated with movement and autonomic functions, the basal ganglia, important for movement coordination and voluntary motor control, and may affect the olfactory pathways, leading to a loss of smell.
LBD is related to Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, where these deposits contribute to the degradation of these regions, causing symptoms akin to these conditions. The deterioration in the basal ganglia, for instance, can lead to Parkinson 's-like symptoms such as tremors and rigidity due to its role in modulating movement and posture. Understanding the affected areas is crucial for deciphering the complex symptoms of LBD, which include cognitive deficits, mood changes, and motor dysfunctions.