A condition known pseudobulbar affect or PBA, that causes frequent, involuntary outbursts of laughing or crying can be brought under control as a new experimental drug has been developed for the same.

PBA affects people with brain injuries and degenerative neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. When a combination of dextromethorphan and low-dose quinidine is given to the patient, he exhibited a major decrease in the number and severity of these episodes, according to Dr. Erik Pioro, Director of the Section for ALS and Related Disorders at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.

Pioro said, "These outbursts of crying and laughter at inappropriate times can have a severe impact on patient and caregiver well-being, social functioning and quality of life. The difficulty with PBA is if it's not socially acceptable to have an emotion that is being expressed".

He quoted an example of a patient who started giggling at a funeral.

Consequently these patients can become very socially introvert, which lowers their quality of life. They will impact their social interactions.

At present, antidepressants are the only treatments, but according to Pioro these drugs don't work for many people with PBA. He added that the dextromethorphan and quinidine combination is the best treatment for people of fluctuating behaviors.

(Image Source: cme-online.med.upenn.edu)