In Matt Godman's novel, Carolina Moonset, one of the main characters has Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), a degenerative condition similar to Alzheimer's disease.

According to the National Institute of Health, "Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a disease associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. These deposits, called Lewy bodies, affect chemicals in the brain [and these] changes, in turn, can lead to problems with thinking, movement, behavior, and mood." It is one of the most common forms of dementia, affecting over one million people in the United States. It's a progressive, fatal disease that can't be cured at this time.

It is unclear what causes LBD; age is considered the only real risk factor, and scientists have been unable to find a genetic or lifestyle link that increases the likelihood of contracting it. It's speculated that those with Parkinson's disease may be more likely to develop LBD, but there is no definitive correlation.

Cognitive ...