Stroke survivors can face daunting physical rehabilitation challenges that may be complicated by uncontrollable outbursts of emotions, such as laughing or crying. This condition, called pseudobulbar affect (PBA) or emotional lability, may affect up to one third of the four million stroke survivors in the US today.

The National Stroke Association (NSA) and Avanir Pharmaceuticals recently presented research that shows promise for a new treatment for PBA.

Dr Randolph B Schiffer of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, presented current information about PBA as well as future developments in possible treatments.

PBA affects a diverse population of patients with neurologic disorders, including those with Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, Parkinson's, and those with neuronal damage following stroke or traumatic brain injury. While the underlying causes of PBA vary from patient to patient, those with the condition experience uncontrolled emotional outbursts and inappropriate responses to various situations. In the simplest terms, PBA can cause a stroke survivor to laugh at a funeral or cry at the circus.

Avanir is currently conducting clinical trials on an experimental drug, Neurodex, to treat PBA. A clinical trial for patients with multiple sclerosis and PBA is underway at 53 clinical sites in the United States and Israel. Another trial is ongoing for patients with PBA related to stroke, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, Parkinson's, and traumatic brain injury.

"Avanir is pleased to support the National Stroke Association and provide information on this condition to its network of researchers, clinicians and healthcare providers," said Dr Gus Fernandez, vice president of Commercial Development for Avanir Pharmaceuticals. "We attended NSA's North American Stroke Meeting as well, and see these events as opportunities to highlight pseudobulbar affect and speak with people about the condition. We feel that medical education programmes open up communication channels. The feedback that we get from patients, physicians and healthcare providers is an important element of our medical education and awareness effort."

The National Stroke Association is the only national organization dedicated solely to stroke prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and support for stroke survivors, their families and healthcare professionals.

Avanir Pharmaceuticals is a drug discovery and development company focused on the development of treatments for central nervous system disorders and inflammatory diseases.