The diagnostic pathological hallmark of dementia with Lewy bodies, found diffusely in cortical neurons, is an intracytoplasmic inclusion composed of:

• A Tau protein
• B Beta-amyloid
• C Prion protein (PrP)
• D Alpha-synuclein ✓

Explanation

Dementia with Lewy bodies shares its molecular hallmark with Parkinson disease: intracytoplasmic Lewy bodies composed of aggregated alpha-synuclein, distributed widely through cortical neurons rather than restricted to the substantia nigra. Tau forms tangles in Alzheimer disease and Pick bodies in frontotemporal dementia, while misfolded PrP defines prion disease. Recognising this shared synucleinopathy explains why these patients are exquisitely sensitive to dopamine-blocking drugs.

Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.