Abstract
Several kinds of β-blocker were given orally to 23 patients with emotional incontinence after stroke. By the treatment for more than 2 weeks, the symptom improved markedly in 26.1%, moderately in 26.1% and slightly in 13.0%. Cessation of medication in 6 patients showing the improvement of emotional incontinence resulted in the evident aggravation of the symptoms in 5 patients within a week. There was no difference in the efficacy of β-blockers due to sex, age and the site of brain damage.
Propranolol and atenolol which were different in hydrophobicity, i. e. blood brain barrier-permeability and β1, 2 receptor selectivity were similarly effective. These results would suggest that the effects of β-blocker on emotional incontinence is attributable to the suppression of central β1-adrenergic mechanisms related to the generation or expression of emotion, and that blood brain barrier is damaged in stroke patients. Although more detailed studies on doses and indications are required, β-blocker is expected as an effective tool for emotional incontinence after stroke.
