Emotional lability after stroke.

The aims of this study were (i) to determine the frequency of emotional lability following first ever stroke, and (ii) to identify factors associated with this condition. Sixty-six consecutive inpatients with first ever stroke were surveyed two months post stroke for the presence of emotional lability. Demographic, clinical, psychiatric and stroke lesion characteristics were also assessed. Emotional lability was present in 12 of the 66 patients (prevalence: 18%). Emotional lability occurred independently of post stroke depression. Single lesions located in anterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres had four times the odds of emotional lability than lesions located anywhere else (p < 0.05). Emotional lability is a common emotional-behavioural syndrome following stroke and is probably a separate condition from post stroke depression. The aetiology of this condition is possibly related to the consequences of injury to anterior regions of the cerebral hemispheres.