A case of visual abnormality observed during treatment of depression as a precursor symptom of dementia with Lewy bodies
Although a high rate of depression has been reported in case of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)１）, the diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies is rarely made in the early stages of treatment because of its many similarities with geriatric depression. The patient is a 54-year-old woman. She had been diagnosed with depression and had received inpatient and outpatient treatment, but was admitted to the hospital because of worsening depression following the sudden death of a family member. Since the time of her depression, she had been complaining of visual illusions, such as“ skin color looks black” and “other people’s eyes look strange.” Suspecting DLB revealed decreased dopamine uptake in the bilateral striatum. Pramipexole was administered in addition to antidepressants. The patient’s visual illusions were reduced, and she was able to perceive the situation relatively calmly. This paper reports a probable case of DLB with depression as a prodromal symptom, along with some considerations.
