The Lewy body by EM is made of fine filaments. It contains neurofilament and ubiquetin antigens. Immunohistochemical markers for ubiquitin enable the easy identification of Lewy bodies in microscopic sections. Lewy bodies are not found in cases of postencephalitic Parkinsonism, or in MPTP intoxication. The intellect is intact, but dementia from other causes may occur.
Immobility leading to decubitus ulcers and pneumonia is a serious problem in the later stages.
There are effective temporary drug therapies, such as levodopa and deprenyl, but this is a progressive and, eventually, fatal disease after 10 years or longer. There is a hope that transplants of fetal tissues containing substantia nigra may prove more effective. Robbins Pathologic Basis of Disease. Medline will open in a new window.