- Actor Patrick Stewart, best-known for his roles in “Star Trek” and “X-Men,” has died at age 86 after a brief battle with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia.
- Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia are progressive neurological conditions that can affect memory, thinking, behavior, and movement.
- Currently, there is no cure for either condition, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. Certain medications may slow cognitive decline in some people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Sir Patrick Stewart, best-known for portraying Captain Jean-Luc Picard in “Star Trek” and Professor Charles Xavier in the “X-Men” film franchise, has died. He was 86.
The legendary actor and thespian passed away on October 28 after a “brief and poignant journey with Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia,” according to his longtime spokesperson, Kelly Bush Novak, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
He died peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, where he was receiving care from his wife, Sunny Ozell.
“He has been held in the warm embrace of family and friends, surrounded by live music, prayer, tears, laughter and the kind of profound emotion that only he could inspire after a lifetime of devotion to us all,” Bush Novak wrote in the statement. “We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”
Stewart’s acting career spanned more than six decades across theater, television, and film.
A longtime member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, he rose to international fame in 1987 with “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and later became known for his portrayal of Professor Charles Xavier in the 2000 film “X-Men” and its numerous sequels.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 for his contributions to drama.
What to know about Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia are two progressive neurological conditions that can affect memory, thinking, behavior, and a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), both conditions can cause dementia, a term used to describe a decline in cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The condition is associated with abnormal buildups of proteins called amyloid and tau in the brain, which disrupt communication between nerve cells and contribute to their damage.
The NIA states that memory problems are often among the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, people may experience increasing difficulty with language, reasoning, decision making, and recognizing familiar people.
Lewy body dementia, meanwhile, is associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, known as Lewy bodies, affect brain chemicals involved in thinking, movement, mood, and sleep, according to the NIA.
People with Lewy body dementia may experience changes in attention and alertness, visual hallucinations, muscle stiffness, difficulty walking, and sleep disturbances.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the two conditions may co-occur, and their overlapping symptoms may make diagnosis more challenging.
Currently, neither condition has a cure, but treatments are available to help manage symptoms. Certain medications can also slow cognitive decline in some people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
Sir Patrick Stewart Dies at 86 After Battle With Alzheimer's, Lewy Body Dementia
Source: Pinoy Lang Sakalam
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