Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Pseudobulbar affect (PBA). This is the pathological involuntary display of emotions. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
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
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Clinical and social impacts
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Treatment
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Synonyms
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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.
