PeoplesMind
02-19-2004, 07:29 PM
As far back as 1872, British naturalist Charles Darwin observed that people with brain injuries or illnesses were sometimes stricken with uncontrollable, and often inappropriate, outbursts of anger, laughter or grief. "Certain brain diseases ... have a special tendency to induce weeping," he wrote.
Even in modern times, there have been no specific treatments for the mysterious problem, now called "pseudobulbar effect."
The condition occurs in people who have had strokes or brain injuries or who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease. The causes remain unknown, but more than 130 years after the condition's discovery, sufferers may have a medication to treat it.
A new drug, Neurodex, has been shown to reduce emotional outbursts in people with Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
It's now being tested on MS patients at 53 centers nationwide and on people with brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, says the drug's manufacturer, Avanir Pharmaceuticals of San Diego.
"It usually takes a long time for a drug to get from the lab to patients," said Dr. Richard Alan Smith, director of the Scripps Center for Neurologic Study in La Jolla, Calif. "But this has moved along at a pretty rapid pace."
The drug's effects on emotional disturbances was discovered by accident about 10 years ago.
Smith was studying Lou Gehrig's disease, which attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and had begun working with dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in cough syrups. He thought dextromethorphan might help stop the attacks on nerve cells by blocking a chemical in the brain called glutamate.
After altering the drug so that it would remain in the body longer, Smith gave it to patients. The drug didn't stop the disease process, but patients quickly reported feeling more emotional stability.
The uncontrollable outbursts of laughing or crying that are hallmarks of the disorder, as well as displays of anger can make family relationships difficult, sidetracking rehabilitation efforts.
READ : http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/n.../nation/2407076 (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2407076)
Even in modern times, there have been no specific treatments for the mysterious problem, now called "pseudobulbar effect."
The condition occurs in people who have had strokes or brain injuries or who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Lou Gehrig's disease and Parkinson's disease. The causes remain unknown, but more than 130 years after the condition's discovery, sufferers may have a medication to treat it.
A new drug, Neurodex, has been shown to reduce emotional outbursts in people with Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis).
It's now being tested on MS patients at 53 centers nationwide and on people with brain injuries and neurodegenerative disorders, says the drug's manufacturer, Avanir Pharmaceuticals of San Diego.
"It usually takes a long time for a drug to get from the lab to patients," said Dr. Richard Alan Smith, director of the Scripps Center for Neurologic Study in La Jolla, Calif. "But this has moved along at a pretty rapid pace."
The drug's effects on emotional disturbances was discovered by accident about 10 years ago.
Smith was studying Lou Gehrig's disease, which attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and had begun working with dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in cough syrups. He thought dextromethorphan might help stop the attacks on nerve cells by blocking a chemical in the brain called glutamate.
After altering the drug so that it would remain in the body longer, Smith gave it to patients. The drug didn't stop the disease process, but patients quickly reported feeling more emotional stability.
The uncontrollable outbursts of laughing or crying that are hallmarks of the disorder, as well as displays of anger can make family relationships difficult, sidetracking rehabilitation efforts.
READ : http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/n.../nation/2407076 (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/2407076)