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The epidemiology and pathophysiology of pseudobulbar affect and its association with neurodegeneration

Authors King RR, Reiss J

Received 11 February 2013

Accepted for publication 6 April 2013

Published 28 May 2013 Volume 2013:3 Pages 23—31

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/DNND.S34160

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 5



Rebecca R King, Jeffrey P Reiss

Department of Psychiatry, University of Western Ontario, London Health Sciences Centre, Victoria Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada

Abstract: Pseudobulbar affect is a disorder resulting from neurologic damage manifesting as sudden, stereotyped affective outbursts that are not reflective of internal emotion. A literature review was completed to examine the current understanding of the epidemiology, characterization, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of pseudobulbar affect. This review revealed that it is common in neurodegenerative disorders but is poorly recognized, placing significant impacts on patients and their families. The disorder appears to result from a disruption of the cortico-limbic-subcortical-thalamic-pontocerebellar network involved in emotional expression and regulation with resulting disruptions of neurotransmitter systems. Effective treatment is available with agents such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and dextromethorphan combined with quinidine, but further well-designed comparative studies are needed. Advances in technology such as neuroimaging may enhance knowledge about the pathophysiology of this disorder, and help guide future interventions.

Keywords: pseudobulbar affect, pathological laughing and crying, neurodegenerative disease, pathophysiology, epidemiology, treatment

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