The Use of Imipramine (“Tofranil”) and Other Psychotropic Drugs in Organic Emotionalism

Abstract

Emotionalism, occurring as excessive or inappropriate weepiness or laughter, is a common and distressing symptom of the pseudobulbar state. It interferes with conversation, is socially embarrassing, and occurring during eating or drinking can be dangerous, particularly so in a patient already dysphagia Preliminary and uncontrolled use of imipramine in a few cases of this condition impressed us with its efficacy, and we therefore engaged in a “double-blind” form of therapeutic trial, comparing two dose strengths of imipramine with phenobarbitone and dummy tablets given in random sequence to each patient. Our favourable impression of imipramine being confirmed, we then attempted to assess the effect on this symptom of two other drugs of related pharmacology.