Sertraline in stroke-associated lability of mood

Abstract

Objective: To assess whether a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is effective in the treatment of stroke-associated lability of mood.

Methods: Twenty-eight non-depressed patients suffering from post-stroke lability of mood took part in an 8-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (50 mg sertraline per day).

Results: There were statistically significant improvements in a global rating of emotionalism and a specific benefit on tearfulness. The results are discussed in the light of proposed serontonergic mechanisms for emotional lability following stroke.

Conclusions: 50 mg of sertraline per day may be an effective and well-tolerated treatment for stroke-associated lability of mood in the absence of depression. This is supportive evidence for the serontonergic hypothesis of lability of mood following stroke.