Lewy body dementia explained after death of Downton Abbey star

Lewy body dementia explained after death of Downton Abbey starIt is the third most common type of dementiaCommentsNewsNeil Shaw Assistant Editor (Money and Lifestyle)12:36, 18 Apr 2026Updated 12:36, 18 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesNathalie Baye during the 14th France OdeonDownton Abbey actor Nathalie Baye has died aged 77 after a battle with Lewy body dementia. Baye appeared in Downton Abbey: A New Era as Madame de Montmirail and had roles in around 100 films - including Catch Me If You Can.‌She died on April 17 at her home in Paris and is survived by her daughter, actor Laura Smet. The star had been living with Lewy body dementia.‌Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and the third most common type of dementia, caused by abnormal protein deposits (Lewy bodies) building up in brain cells. It affects cognitive, physical, and behavioural functions, characterised by fluctuating alertness, visual hallucinations, Parkinson ’s-like movement issues, and sleep disorders, with life expectancy typically ranging from five to eight years.‌View 2 ImagesNathalie Baye during the 17th Angouleme French-Speaking Film FestivalKey Symptoms of Lewy Body DementiaLBD symptoms often overlap with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Key symptoms include:‌Cognitive Decline: Significant fluctuations in alertness and attention, including profound confusion, which can vary from hour to hour or day to day.Visual Hallucinations: Detailed, vivid, and realistic visual hallucinations occur in many patients, often early in the disease.Movement Issues: Parkinson's symptoms like rigid muscles, slow movement, shuffling gait, and tremors.Sleep Disorders: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder, causing patients to physically act out dreams.Mental/Behavioral Changes: Depression, anxiety, and apathy are common.Causes and TypesProtein Build-up: LBD is caused by abnormal buildups of a protein called alpha-synuclein, known as Lewy bodies, which damage brain cells...