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Related Experiment Videos

Pathologic laughter and crying in ALS: a search for their origin.

J P Gallagher

    Acta Neurologica Scandinavica
    |August 1, 1989
    PubMed
    Summary

    Pathologic emotional outbursts like laughter and crying occur in a significant number of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, even those diagnosed before age 45. This suggests aging may not be the primary driver of these symptoms in ALS.

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    Area of Science:

    • Neurology
    • Neuroscience
    • Gerontology

    Background:

    • Emotional lability, including pathological laughter and crying, is a recognized symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
    • The prevalence of these symptoms is often attributed to age-related brain changes, as ALS typically affects older populations.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the incidence of pathological laughter and crying in younger individuals diagnosed with ALS.
    • To determine if emotional lability in ALS is independent of age-related neurological changes.

    Main Methods:

    • A cohort of 73 patients with confirmed ALS, diagnosed before the age of 45, was studied.
    • Data on the occurrence of pathological laughter and/or crying episodes were collected from these patients.

    Main Results:

    • 36 out of 73 (approximately 49%) patients experienced pathological laughter and/or crying.
    • Of those with emotional outbursts, 20 had both laughter and crying, 9 had crying alone, and 7 had laughter alone.
    • Nearly all patients with emotional spells exhibited bulbar involvement.

    Conclusions:

    • Pathological emotional expression in ALS can occur independently of advanced age.
    • The findings suggest that factors other than aging, potentially related to the disease process itself (e.g., bulbar involvement), are significant contributors to emotional lability in ALS.

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