The goal of this survey study is to identify environmental, occupational and reproductive health risk factors for Lewy body dementia, which includes Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. Participants will complete a one-time survey online or over the phone that includes questions on environmental, occupational factors they may have been exposed to and on medical history including reproductive health. Researchers will then compare the responses of people with Lewy body dementia and people without Parkinson's or memory/thinking problems to see which factors play a role in Lewy body dementia. Identifying risk factors can guide future treatment efforts and provide more insight to this dementia.
Sex-Specific Environmental and Reproductive Health Risk Factors for Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia, including Parkinson's disease dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, is one of the most common dementias and does not have a cure for now. It can occur differently for women and men, although we are not sure why. The ratio of women to men for the disease prevalence changes with older age, suggesting a potential role for reproductive factors, particularly for women. Environmental factors impact the risk for other types of dementia, although such factors have not been clearly described in Lewy body dementia specifically. Women and men may get exposed to different environmental and occupational risk factors, and the impact of factors can differ for women and men. By using one-time survey that can be completed online or over the phone, we will try to understand which environmental, occupational or reproductive health factors play a role in Lewy body dementia for women and men. By comparing the survey responses of people with Lewy body dementia and people without Parkinson's or memory/thinking problems, we aim to identify specific risk factors for women and men that can guide future treatment efforts and provide more insight into this dementia.