CNN founder Ted Turner has died at 87 after a battle with Lewy body dementia, a progressive form of the condition.
Turner Enterprises announced the businessman and philanthropist's death in a news release on Wednesday, May 6, according to CNN.
The media mogul first revealed his diagnosis in 2018, telling "CBS Sunday Morning" the disorder left him "tired" and "exhausted," adding that the chronic symptom that bothered him most was "forgetfulness."
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Lewy body dementia, also known as LBD, is the second most common form of progressive dementia behind Alzheimer's, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Individuals with LBD may live anywhere between two to 20 years from diagnosis to death, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Other famous faces have also suffered from Lewy body dementia, including the late comic and actor Robin Williams and baseball legend Tom Seaver.
Here's what to know about the diagnosis.
Lewy body dementia symptoms
According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of Lewy body dementia can include:
- Hallucinations
- Slowed movement, rigid muscles or tremor
- Poor body function regulation
- Cognitive changes like confusion, visual-spatial problems and memory loss
- Sleep trouble
- Varying attention, including episodes of drowsiness, staring into space or long naps during the day
- Depression or apathy
What causes Lewy body dementia?
LBD happens when proteins called Lewy bodies build up in brain cells, the Cleveland Clinic explains.
"These proteins damage parts of your brain that control thinking and memory," the clinic adds.
And while it's unclear why some people get LBD and others don’t, the Mayo Clinic notes a few factors seem to increase the risk, including:
- Age, as it usually affects people after age 50
- Sex, as it affects more men than women
- Family history
Why Lewy body dementia is difficult to diagnose
Lewy body dementia's similarities to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's pose a challenge for doctors.
"It can take quite some time to get the correct diagnosis, and it is not unusual, unfortunately, for it to take one to three years," Norma Loeb, the founder of the Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center, previously told USA TODAY.
Loeb points out that it is key for family members of patients to keep track of all symptoms, as even unexpected symptoms are often linked to LBD.
Lewy body dementia treatment
Lewy body dementia has no known cure, but medications and therapies can help manage symptoms for a while.
Some medications typically used for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's may help with symptoms relating to cognition or movement, but there are many risks attached, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
The reason for this, Loeb explained, is that individuals with LBD are extremely sensitive to medications.
"The wrong drugs − particularly older antipsychotics − can add to or create hallucinations and can contribute to a much worsened, dangerous condition," Loeb said.
Still, Loeb notes that cholinesterase inhibitors, which are often used for people with Alzheimer's, can help improve cognition and alertness in patients with Lewy body dementia. It is worth speaking with a neurologist to determine which prescriptions can work best to mitigate symptoms of LBD.
Contributing: Joshua Bote and Jayme Deerwester
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is lewy body dementia? Ted Turner's diagnosis, explained
