Persistent pseudobulbar affect secondary to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neuroimmunology

Background:

• Pseudobulbar affect (PBA) is a neurological disorder often associated with central nervous system diseases.
• PBA secondary to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is rarely documented.
• Under-recognition and under-treatment of PBA remain significant clinical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of long-term pseudobulbar affect (PBA) secondary to acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
• To highlight the clinical manifestations and impact on social functioning in a patient with ADEM-induced PBA.
• To emphasize the importance of considering PBA in patients with a history of ADEM.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 30-year-old Chinese woman with a 7-year history of PBA symptoms.
• Clinical observation of emotional lability, including crying and laughing spells.
• Assessment of social functioning impairment due to PBA.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with frequent, brief episodes of uncontrollable crying and laughing.
• Symptoms occurred without appropriate emotional stimuli and significantly impaired social functioning.
• The PBA symptoms persisted for 7 years following ADEM.

Conclusions:

• Long-term pseudobulbar affect (PBA) can be a secondary complication of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM).
• Clinicians should consider PBA in the differential diagnosis for patients with neurological deficits after ADEM.
• Timely identification and treatment of PBA are crucial for improving patient outcomes and social reintegration.