Paul A Lapchak
Director of Translational Research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Advanced Healthcare Science Pavilion, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Suite 8305, Los Angeles, CA 90048,
Tanzania
Rapid Communication
Neuronal Dysregulation in Stroke-Associated Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA):
Diagnostic Scales and Current Treatment Options
Author(s): Paul A LapchakPaul A Lapchak
Until recently, there was little understanding of the exact pathophysiology and treatment choices for stroke patients with Pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA is typically characterized by outbursts or uncontrollable laughing or crying and in the majority of patients, the outbursts being involuntary and incompatible with the patients’ emotional state. PBA is a behavioral syndrome reported to be displayed in 28-52% of stroke patients with first or multiple strokes, and incidence may be higher in patients who have had prior stroke events, and higher in females. There is typically involvement of glutaminergic, serotoninergic and dopaminergic neuronal circuits of the cortico-limbic-subcorticothalamic-pontocerebellar network. PBA is now understood to be a disinhibition syndrome in which specific pathways involving serotonin and glutamate are disrupted or modul.. View More»
