The Penguin: What is Lewy Body Dementia? Francis Cobb’s Diagnosis Explained

The Penguin recently aired its sixth episode. The episode was filled with interesting twists and turns, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. One of the major revelations made in the episode was that Oz’s mother has been suffering from Lewy Body Dementia. So, what happened to Francis Cobb in The Penguin, and what is Lewy Body Dementia all about?

Here is everything you need to know about the disease shown in the series.

What disease does Oz’s mom, Francis Cobb, have in The Penguin?

Oz’s mom, Francis Cobb, is suffering from Lewy Body Dementia in The Penguin.

In the sixth episode, Oz reveals that his mother has Lewy Body Dementia. Her condition is worsening with time and this is the reason he has kept her in an abandoned apartment called The Zoo. The mother-son duo is stuck in this situation and cannot even start the record player for her. Further, he threatens a Gotham councilman to turn on the power in Crown Point to ease things out for his mother.

Later, Francis Cobb feels ashamed of her condition and asks Oz to kill her if things go out of control. Oz assures her he will follow her order and dresses her up. After her makeup is done, the gangster comments that his mother looks powerful like Gilda.

What is Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy Body Dementia is associated with memory loss. The disease is caused by the build-up of protein deposits in the brain. These deposits known as Lewy bodies severely affect the brain. Consequently, it can lead to numerous issues with memory and behavior. The most common symptoms of this disease are hallucinations, lack of concentration, and memory issues.

Although Lewy body dementia cannot be treated, medications, therapy, and counseling may help with certain symptoms to some extent. An efficient care team may make things easier for the patients and caretakers. However, this treatment is temporary as LBD cannot be prevented or cured (via NIH).

Actor Deidre O’Connell opened up about her character suffering from LBD. During a New York City Comic-Con roundtable attended by GamesRadar+, she said, ”I know more about it than I would like to know about it because my dad had it and my mom’s got it. I felt a responsibility to talk about that in being Francis.”

She further shared that she tried to ensure she didn’t “soft-sell it.” O’Connell wanted to give her character “the dignity of being someone who did not want people to know about it and did not want to be in this situation and was not playing the dependence card at all.”

The Penguin is streaming on Max.