The Epidemiology and Pathophysiology of Pseudobulbar Affect and Its Association with Neurodegeneration

Overview

Journal Degener Neurol Neuromuscul Dis

Publisher Dove Medical Press

Date 2019 Mar 21

PMID 30890891

Citations 13

Authors

Rebecca R King

Jeffrey P Reiss

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

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.

Citing Articles

Pseudobulbar Affect Among Patients With Dementia.

Charron L, Espiridion E Cureus. 2025; 17(1):e78116.

PMID: 40018468 PMC: 11866213. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78116.

Suspected Pseudobulbar Affect in Neurodegenerative Disease.

OConnor M, Frank B, DeCaro R, Vives-Rodriguez A, Hurley L, Turk K Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2024; 39(10):e70002.

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Pseudobulbar Affect in an Elderly Female With Small Vessel Ischemic Disease and Alcohol Abuse Disorder: A Case Report.

Safari T, Dehbozorgi M, Laurent B Cureus. 2024; 16(5):e60472.

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Emotion Recognition in Multiple System Atrophy: An Exploratory Eye-Tracking Study.

Sidoroff V, Carbone F, Ellmerer P, Bair S, Hoffmann A, Maran T J Mov Disord. 2023; 17(1):38-46.

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Definitions, phenomenology, diagnosis, and management of the disorders of laughter and crying in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Consensus from ALS and Motor Neuron Disease Scientific Department of the Brazilian Academy of Neurology.

de Assis Aquino Gondim F, Pinto W, Chieia M, Correia C, Cunha F, Dourado Jr M Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2023; 81(8):764-775.

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