Workup of Pseudobulbar Affect

[michaelrack]

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As a psychiatrist, I run into Pseudobulbar affect sometimes in my geriatric inpatients, who often have a history of dementia. My understanding is that this condition can be caused by stroke, ALS, Alzheimer's, TBI, etc.
Is there any established workup for pseudobulbar affect? Do patients with a history of dementia who are exhibiting this condition require an MRI?
I could not find anything on Up to Date on the work up of pseudobulbar affect. Thank you.

 

[deathmerchant]

As a psychiatrist, I run into Pseudobulbar affect sometimes in my geriatric inpatients, who often have a history of dementia. My understanding is that this condition can be caused by stroke, ALS, Alzheimer's, TBI, etc.
Is there any established workup for pseudobulbar affect? Do patients with a history of dementia who are exhibiting this condition require an MRI?
I could not find anything on Up to Date on the work up of pseudobulbar affect. Thank you.

Not much workup if presentation is typical and patient has a known underlying condition that predisposes to it as mentioned above. Some red flags including sudden onset etc that might warrant MRI in some cases.
Nudexta can be tried- sometimes helps.

 

[michaelrack]

thank you deathmerchant. that makes sense