To explore the inter-relationship between the core and suggestive symptoms of Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and the cognitive profiles in persons with newly diagnosed mild dementia.

139 persons with mild dementia were recruited from dementia clinics in Western Norway. Symptoms were rated using standardized instruments. A two-step cluster analysis was applied to classify persons into groups according to scores on scales for hallucinations, parkinsonism, fluctuations and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD).

Four distinct clusters were revealed: A “Lewy Body Dementia” (LBD) cluster with high scores for both hallucinations, parkinsonism and fluctuation, and a “non-LBD” cluster with low scores on all DLB symptom scales were identified. In addition, two clusters with high scores on either RBD or cognitive fluctuation scales emerged. Persons in the LBD cluster had lower scores for visuospatial cognitive abilities as compared to the non-LBD group.(p=.002)

With a cluster analysis we provide empirical support for the existence of a distinct subgroup in mild dementia with high scores on scales for hallucinations, parkinsonism and cognitive fluctuations and a distinct cognitive profile, i.e. supporting the clinical diagnosis DLB.