Journal article
Post-Stroke Psychiatric Problems: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Drug Treatment Options
CNS drugs, Vol.3(6), pp.436-447
06/1995
DOI: 10.2165/00023210-199503060-00004
Abstract
Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder occurring as a consequence of stroke. Approximately 40 to 50% of patients will present with depression in the first month after an acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Post-stroke depression may have a significant effect on the recovery of activities of daily living and cognitive function of stroke patients. Antidepressant drugs have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of post-stroke depression. Stimulant drugs and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have also been found to be effective in uncontrolled studies. Mania is a rare complication of stroke. Its mechanism is still unknown, and treatment is based on those drugs that are effective in the treatment of primary mania. The treatment of post-stroke bipolar disorder also follows the guidelines for the treatment of primary bipolar disorder. Lithium is the mainstay of treatment, which may be combined with antipsychotics or other mood stabilisers, such as valproic acid (sodium valproate) or carbamazepine. Other psychiatric problems associated with stroke include post-stroke anxiety, post-stroke psychosis and pathological laughing and crying. Anxiety responds to anti-anxiety drugs such as benzodiazepines. There are 2 basic therapeutic approaches to the treatment of post-stroke psychosis. One approach utilises anti-convulsant therapy and the other antipsychotics. Nortriptyline and citalopram have been shown to be effective in double-blind, controlled studies for the treatment of pathological laughing and crying following stroke. © 1995, Adis International Limited. All rights reserved.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Post-Stroke Psychiatric Problems: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology and Drug Treatment Options
- Creators
- Robert G Robinson - University of IowaMax L de Carvalho - University of IowaSergio Paradiso - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- CNS drugs, Vol.3(6), pp.436-447
- DOI
- 10.2165/00023210-199503060-00004
- ISSN
- 1172-7047
- eISSN
- 1179-1934
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/1995
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry
- Record Identifier
- 9984201520102771
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