Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
Evidence-based neurology checklist on pseudobulbar affect (pba): Clinical features This is the pathological involuntary display of emotions The emotion is superficially similar to normal emotion but it is not congruent with the mood The emotion is relatively stereotyped and uncontrollable There is…
Clinical features
- This is the pathological involuntary display of emotions
- The emotion is superficially similar to normal emotion but it is not congruent with the mood
- The emotion is relatively stereotyped and uncontrollable
- There is no sense of relief after expressing the emotion
- The emotions may alternate between laughter and crying
- They may occur when the subject is alone
- Episodes last a few seconds to 2 minutes
- They may be spontaneous or provoked
- They are assessed with the Centre for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS)
Provoking factors
Clinical and social impacts
Treatment
Synonyms
References
- Moore SR, Gresham LS, Bromberg MB, Kasarkis EJ, Smith RA. A self report measure of affective lability. JNNP 1997; 63:89-93.
- Ahmed A, Simmons Z. Pseudobulbar affect: prevalence and management. Ther Clin Risk Manag 2013; 9:483-489.
- Rosen H. Dextromethorphan/quinidine sulfate for pseudobulbar affect. Drugs Today (Barc) 2008; 44:661-668.
- Brooks BR, Thisted RA, Appel SH, et al. Treatment of pseudobulbar affect in ALS with dextromethorphan/quinidine: a randomized trial. Neurology 2004; 63:1364-1370.
