Patrick Stewart, the acclaimed English actor known for his roles in “Star Trek” and “X-Men,” has died.
Stewart died Wednesday following what his publicist called a “brief and poignant journey” with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia. He was 86.
Stewart, whose career spanned more than six decades in theater, television and film, had not publicly disclosed his diagnoses prior to his death.
Related: Remembering acting icon Patrick Stewart.
The two conditions can overlap
Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia are different conditions, but both can affect memory, thinking and everyday life.
Lewy body dementia can also cause changes in alertness, visual hallucinations, sleep problems and movement difficulties, according to the National Institute on Aging.
The conditions can occur together. When a person has brain changes linked to more than one type of dementia, it is called mixed dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s-related changes are often found alongside Lewy bodies, though having one condition does not necessarily mean a person has the other.
What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia is linked to abnormal protein deposits in the brain, called Lewy bodies. Named after the scientist that discovered them, Lewy bodies can disrupt brain functions that affect thinking, movement, behavior, mood and sleep.
Common signs include changes in attention, seeing things that are not there, and stiffness or difficulty walking.
The condition drew wide public attention after CNN founder Ted Turner revealed his diagnosis in 2018. Robin Williams’s autopsy later found Lewy body disease, although his condition was not publicly diagnosed while he was alive.
Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to Mayo Clinic.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. It gradually damages parts of the brain involved in memory and thinking.
Memory problems are often an early sign, but the disease can also affect language, judgment and reasoning, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Over time, these changes can make everyday tasks harder.
Both Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s are devastating conditions.
A statement posted to Stewart’s Instagram page reads in part, “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. We will forever cherish the peaceful ease and reflection on his face, an enduring reminder of his invincible grace.”
