Comparison of extrapyramidal signs in dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease

Extrapyramidal signs (EPS) were compared in 98 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and 130 medication-responsive Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. DLB patients were older at assessment and at disease onset, were cognitively more impaired, and had a shorter duration of disease than PD patients. Sixty-seven DLB patients (68%) showed EPS. The 58 DLB patients with complete data had more severe action tremor, body bradykinesia, difficulty arising from a chair, and facial expression, gait, and rigidity symptoms than PD patients (all P <0.001). Abnormal posture and tremor at rest did not differ. Severity of EPS correlated with age, duration of disease, and cognitive impairment in PD patients but not in DLB patients. Studies of the clinical significance and management of EPS in DLB patients are needed.