Causes Of Pseudobulbar Affect

Stroke

A stroke occurs when the blood flowing to the brain is cut off. Just part of the brain may be affected, or the entire brain may be affected. As soon as the brain loses the oxygen necessary to stay alive, the cells start to die. Individuals may experience impaired muscle control and memory. Strokes affect patients differently depending on the portion of the brain affected and the amount of the brain that becomes damaged. Though some recover completely from the incident, over two-thirds of survivors are permanently affected. Pseudobulbar affect is one of the behaviors most commonly reported after an individual suffers a stroke. Studies indicate up to fifty percent of stroke survivors experience at least one episode of pseudobulbar affect.