Involuntary Emotional Expression Disorder: Treating the Untreated

CNS Spectrums ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (S5) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Rix Brooks
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Expression ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Multicenter Studies ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Sexual Disturbances ◽  
Assessment Measures ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

AbstractPatients with involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED) have impaired social and occupational functioning and there is currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatment. Treatment options include tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), dopaminergic agents, and a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine. Studies of monaminergic agents have typically been small and executed in single-center settings. Assessment measures generally show significant symptomatic improvements, including a reduction in the number of laughing or crying episodes and improvements in patients' clinical condition. The tolerability profiles of these agents are well defined, and include dizziness, tachycardia, and QTc prolongation (TCAs), and sleep and sexual disturbances (SSRIs). The combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine has also been assessed in two large multicenter studies in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Compared with placebo and either agent alone, there were significant improvements in symptoms, quality of life, and relationships. The most common side effects were dizziness and nausea, and potential drug interactions with quinidine should also be considered. Choice of treatment should be evidence-based, taking into account both efficacy and tolerability.

Treatment options for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: a mother's perspective

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 70-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
LT Swanson
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Palliative Surgery ◽  
First Year ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
New Treatment ◽  
Attending Physician ◽  
Left Heart Syndrome ◽  
Made In

The congenital heart defect of HLHS is nearly uniformly fatal without intervention. As surgeons gain experience with the techniques the success rates are improving; more infants with HLHS are being offered hope for survival and quality of life. The critical nature of this diagnosis, the relatively new treatment options, and uncertainty of the surgical outcome impose tremendous stress on the parents. Choice of treatment is difficult and should be made in collaboration with the attending physician. Although the first year of my son's life was difficult, the past 5 years have been wonderful. He continues to thrive and enjoy most of the activities other 6-year-olds enjoy. In retrospect, palliative surgery was a good option for him. As both his mother and a cardiac nurse, I recognize that he may once again require surgical intervention, but I am encouraged that medical and surgical advances are being made for children with HLHS.

scholarly journals Treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Munir'deen A. Ijaiya ◽  
Hadijat O. Raji
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Pelvic Organ Prolapse ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
Pelvic Organ ◽  
Pelvic Organs ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Principles Of Treatment

Prolapse of the pelvic organs is a common condition encountered in gynecological practice that adversely affects the quality of life of affected women. It affects millions of women worldwide. The principles of treatment of pelvic organ prolapse include restoring anatomy and vaginal function, correcting associated urinary and or fecal incontinence, and preventing de novo prolapse and incontinence. There are various treatment options for pelvic organ prolapse. These vary from conservative treatments/ mechanical interventions to surgery. The choice of treatment depends on severity of symptoms, patient’s age, parity, and whether there is the need to conserve the uterus for reproductive function. In conclusion, thorough evaluation of symptoms and degree of prolapse is essential in order to provide the best possible treatment and ultimately improve quality of life.

scholarly journals Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenges in the Management of Intermediate and Frail Elderly Multiple Myeloma Patients

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3106
Author(s):  
Francesca Bonello ◽  
Mario Boccadoro ◽  
Alessandra Larocca
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Elderly Patients ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Frailty Status ◽  
Frail Patients ◽  
Multidimensional Evaluation ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Choice Of Therapy

Multiple myeloma (MM) mostly affects elderly patients, which represent a highly heterogeneous population. Indeed, comorbidities, frailty status and functional reserve may vary considerably among patients with similar chronological age. For this reason, the choice of treatment goals and intensity is particularly challenging in elderly patients, and it requires a multidimensional evaluation of the patients and the disease. In recent years, different tools to detect patient frailty have been developed, and the International Myeloma Working Group frailty score currently represents the gold standard. It identifies intermediate-fit and frail patients requiring gentler treatment approaches compared to fit patients, aiming to preserve quality of life and prevent toxicities. This subset of patients is underrepresented in clinical trials, and studies exploring frailty-adapted approaches are scarce, making the choice of therapy extremely challenging. Treatment options for intermediate-fit and frail patients might include dose-adapted combinations, doublets, and less toxic combinations based on novel agents. This review analyzes the available tools for the assessment of frailty and possible strategies to improve the discriminative power of the scores and expand their use in real-life and clinical trial settings. Moreover, it addresses the main therapeutic challenges in the management of intermediate-fit and frail MM patients at diagnosis and at relapse.

scholarly journals Antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia in Tourette syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 201-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith J. G. Rath ◽  
Marlies E. J. Deen ◽  
Hessel van Houten ◽  
Sebastiaan F. T. M. de Bruijn ◽  
Joop van Gerven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Tourette Syndrome ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Atypical Antipsychotics ◽  
Psychotic Disorders ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Childhood Onset ◽  
Choice Of Treatment ◽  
Age And Sex

For many years, Tourette syndrome (TS) was considered to be a rare disorder, but tics and TS are now recognized as fairly common childhood-onset conditions. Children and adolescents with TS are frequently treated with antipsychotics, either as monotherapy or in combination with psychostimulants, melatonin and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Antipsychotics are most often used in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, and in these conditions hyperprolactinemia is one of the most common adverse effects associated with antipsychotics, occurring in 40–50% of patients. We describe two patients with TS who experienced antipsychotic-induced hyperprolactinemia. Treatment options generally consist of dose reduction or switching from typical to atypical antipsychotics. However, diminishing dosages can lead to exacerbations of tics. Also, not all atypical antipsychotics have the same pharmacologic properties required to normalize prolactin levels. The choice of treatment may also be affected by the patient’s age and sex. These factors are discussed in relation to these cases, and illustrated by the results of therapeutic interventions over the years.

Prevention and Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Survivors of Adult Cancers: American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Practice Guideline

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (18) ◽  
pp. 1941-1967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawn L. Hershman ◽  
Christina Lacchetti ◽  
Robert H. Dworkin ◽  
Ellen M. Lavoie Smith ◽  
Jonathan Bleeker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patient Reported Outcomes ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Topical Gel ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
American Society

Purpose To provide evidence-based guidance on the optimum prevention and treatment approaches in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathies (CIPN) in adult cancer survivors. Methods A systematic literature search identified relevant, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) for the treatment of CIPN. Primary outcomes included incidence and severity of neuropathy as measured by neurophysiologic changes, patient-reported outcomes, and quality of life. Results A total of 48 RCTs met eligibility criteria and comprise the evidentiary basis for the recommendations. Trials tended to be small and heterogeneous, many with insufficient sample sizes to detect clinically important differences in outcomes. Primary outcomes varied across the trials, and in most cases, studies were not directly comparable because of different outcomes, measurements, and instruments used at different time points. The strength of the recommendations is based on the quality, amount, and consistency of the evidence and the balance between benefits and harms. Recommendations: On the basis of the paucity of high-quality, consistent evidence, there are no agents recommended for the prevention of CIPN. With regard to the treatment of existing CIPN, the best available data support a moderate recommendation for treatment with duloxetine. Although the CIPN trials are inconclusive regarding tricyclic antidepressants (such as nortriptyline), gabapentin, and a compounded topical gel containing baclofen, amitriptyline HCL, and ketamine, these agents may be offered on the basis of data supporting their utility in other neuropathic pain conditions given the limited other CIPN treatment options. Further research on these agents is warranted.

scholarly journals Treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in a patient with a history of traumatic brain injury, partial brain resection, and brainstem stroke: a case report

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fletcher Graham Young ◽  
Diep Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors ◽  
Tricyclic Antidepressants ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Case Presentation ◽  
Pseudobulbar Affect ◽  
Brainstem Stroke ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lateral Sclerosis

Abstract Background Pseudobulbar affect is a very distressing and underdiagnosed neuropsychiatric disorder that causes contextually inappropriate episodes of laughing and crying and general emotional incontinence. Although many proposed etiologies exist, the most widely accepted theory espouses the disruption of a corticopontine–cerebellar circuit that governs the modulation of emotional response. Pseudobulbar affect is commonly diagnosed secondary to primary neurological disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. Traditional pharmacological treatment of pseudobulbar affect is largely comprised of antidepressant therapy, including tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluvoxamine. However, neither of these medication classes has been studied for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect in controlled trials, and their utility remains questionable. Case presentation We describe a case of a 62-year-old Caucasian man with history of traumatic brain injury, ischemic brainstem stroke, and depression who developed intractable pseudobulbar affect. This patient’s intensely distressing symptoms were not alleviated by amitriptyline. However, after being placed on fixed-dose 20 mg/10 mg dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta), our patient experienced complete resolution of his symptoms. He has experienced no deleterious side effects. Conclusions This case provides anecdotal evidence for the efficacy of dextromethorphan/quinidine in the treatment of pseudobulbar affect with remarkably swift and complete cessation of symptoms. As a secondary point, it is worth noting that our patient had experienced two devastating neurological traumas, both in anatomical areas that have been implicated in the corticopontine–cerebellar circuit thought to be responsible for pseudobulbar affect. However, only the second trauma, an acute left pontine infarction, produced symptoms of emotional disinhibition. The authors hope that reporting this case will provide both context for physicians managing this condition and hope for patients with this socially and psychiatrically damaging disease.

Surgery for Lung Cancer and the Consequences for the Swallow

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (13) ◽  
pp. 162-168
Author(s):  
Pippa Hales ◽  
Corinne Mossey-Gaston
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Vocal Cord Palsy ◽  
Subsequent Treatment ◽  
Physiological Reserve ◽  
Palliative Phase ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Swallow Function

Lung cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers across Northern America and Europe. Treatment options offered are dependent on the type of cancer, the location of the tumor, the staging, and the overall health of the person. When surgery for lung cancer is offered, difficulty swallowing is a potential complication that can have several influencing factors. Surgical interaction with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can lead to unilateral vocal cord palsy, altering swallow function and safety. Understanding whether the RLN has been preserved, damaged, or sacrificed is integral to understanding the effect on the swallow and the subsequent treatment options available. There is also the risk of post-surgical reduction of physiological reserve, which can reduce the strength and function of the swallow in addition to any surgery specific complications. As lung cancer has a limited prognosis, the clinician must also factor in the palliative phase, as this can further increase the burden of an already compromised swallow. By understanding the surgery and the implications this may have for the swallow, there is the potential to reduce the impact of post-surgical complications and so improve quality of life (QOL) for people with lung cancer.

Raynaud’s phenomenon and digital ischaemia - pharmacologic approach and alternative treatment options

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Birgit Linnemann ◽  
Matthias Erbe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers ◽  
Raynaud’S Phenomenon ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Raynaud's Phenomenon ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Receptor Antagonists ◽  
Skin Ulcers ◽  
Digital Ischaemia

Abstract. The primary goal of therapy is to reduce the frequency and intensity of Raynaud’s attacks and to minimize the related morbidity rather than to cure the underlying condition. Treatment strategies depend on whether Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP) is primary or secondary. All patients should be instructed about general measures to maintain body warmth and to avoid triggers of RP attacks. Pharmacologic intervention can be useful for patients with severe and frequent RP episodes that impair the patient’s quality of life. Calcium channel blockers are currently the most prescribed and studied medications for this purpose. There has been limited evidence for the efficacy of alpha-1-adrenergic receptor antagonists, angiotensin receptor blockers, topical nitrates or fluoxetine to treat RP. The intravenously administered prostacyclin analogue iloprost can reduce the frequency and severity of RP attacks and is considered a second-line therapy in patients with markedly impaired quality of life, critical digital ischaemia and skin ulcers who are at risk for substantial tissue loss and amputation. Phosphodiesterase inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil) can also improve RP symptoms and ulcer healing whereas endothelin-1 receptor antagonists (e.g., bosentan) are mainly considered treatment options in secondary prevention for patients with digital skin ulcers related to systemic sclerosis. However, their use in clinical practice has been limited by their high cost. Antiplatelet therapy with low-dose aspirin is recommended for all patients who suffer from secondary RP due to ischaemia caused by structural vessel damage. Anticoagulant therapy can be considered during the acute phase of digital ischaemia in patients with suspected vascular occlusive disease attributed to the occurrence of new thromboses. In patients with critical digital ischaemia, consideration should be given to hospitalisation, optimisation of medical treatment in accordance with the underlying disease and evaluation for a secondary, possibly reversible process that is causing or aggravating the clinical symptoms.

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