Pseudobulbar affects 10% of its patients with multiple sclerosis, 15% of patients with Alzheimer’s, and up to 49% of patients with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). It isolates patients from society because of continuing emotional outbursts.
In 1985 first patient of this disease was detected. There was no treatment for pathological laughing and weeping, its other name, at that time. Later after many trails it found that Amitriptyline and levadopa had similar positive effects on the patients.
Pseudobulbar clearly connects with the brainstem. The possible association of of the brain led to the testing of dextromethorphan. This is a common cold medication. Now Avanir, a new drug, is ready to get approval from FDA to be the first drug for pathological laughing and weeping.
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