PATHOLOGICAL LAUGHING AND CRYING

Objective: To review the clinical features, neurobiological correlates and treatment of pathological laughing and crying. Method: Selective literature review. Results: Attacks of involuntary, irresistible laugh ing or crying have long been recognised as sequelae of brain damage, T here is controversy about the clinical features of these attacks, the stimuli that provoke them and their relation to affective disorder, Th e pathophysiology of pathological laughing and crying is still unclear , It can occur in the presence of focal as well as diffuse brain disea se, Treatment with antidepressant medications has been found to be of benefit in patients with cerebrovascular disease and multiple sclerosi s. Conclusions: Clinicians should remain vigilant for these symptoms, and offer effective treatments, such as antidepressants, where indicat ed, Further research is needed to delineate the underlying neurobiolog ical correlates of pathological laughing and crying, The efficacy of b oth pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions requires cri tical evaluation.