Executive Function Problem

Fact: LBD patients often show a greater impairment in executive functions than Alzheimer's patients, even when their overall cognitive decline is measured to be at a similar level.

The executive functions refer to a set of cognitive skills responsible for planning, organizing, initiating, and completing tasks. An individual with LBD might face challenges breaking down tasks into steps. For example, preparing a meal might become overwhelming, as they struggle with sequencing the activities involved — selecting ingredients, chopping, cooking, and serving. This impairment also impacts abstract thinking, making it hard to grasp metaphorical language or understand non-literal expressions.