Pseudobulbar Palsy
Pseudobulbar palsy is a neurological disorder marked by hyperreflexia and spasticity, along with pseudobulbar affect (PBA). At Protheragen, we understand that transitioning from research to therapy development involves overcoming a multitude of challenges. With our knowledge in pseudobulbar palsy therapy development, we are able to provide tailored guidance alongside comprehensive support for your transition from therapy research towards commercialization.
Overview of Pseudobulbar Palsy
Pseudobulbar palsy is a debilitating neurological disorder caused by upper motor neuron degeneration of the corticobulbar tracts and features spastic dysarthria, dysphagia, and emotional lability. Unlike bulbar palsy which comprises lower motor neuron lesions, pseudobulbar palsy presents with hyperreflexia, spasticity, and involuntary emotional outbursts known as pseudobulbar affect or PBA.
Fig.1 Proposed pathophysiology of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). (Ahmed A, Simmons Z., 2013)
Pathogenesis of Pseudobulbar Palsy
Pseudobulbar palsy develops from the destruction of upper motor neurons (UMN) within the corticobulbar tracts which disrupts neural control over the brainstem nuclei that give signals to bulbar muscles. The damage to UMN causes loss of inhibitory control and results in spasticity, hyperreflexia, and involuntary movement of speech muscles due to overactive control of cranial nerve nuclei (IX, X, XII). Characteristic variants such as pseudobulbar affect (PBA) arise from disconnection within prefrontal-limbic circuits along with imbalances in neurotransmitters pathways involving serotonin and glutamate.
Therapeutic Development for Pseudobulbar Palsy
| Drug Names | Mechanism of Action | Targets | Research Phase |
| Amitriptyline |
|
SERT, NET, NMDA receptors | Approved |
| Fluoxetine |
|
SERT, 5-HT receptors | Phase II/III |
| Venlafaxine |
|
SERT, NET | Early research |
Disclaimer: Protheragen focuses on providing preclinical research services. This table is for information exchange purposes only. This table is not a treatment plan recommendation. For guidance on treatment options, please visit a regular hospital.
Our Services
As a leader in rare upper motor neuron disease (UMND) research, Protheragen offers comprehensive preclinical services to advance pseudobulbar palsy therapeutics from discovery to validation. Our advanced disease models faithfully replicate corticobulbar tract degeneration and key clinical features like dysphagia and pseudobulbar affect (PBA), while proprietary blood-brain barrier (BBB) models optimize CNS drug delivery.
Therapeutic Development Services
By Mechanism of Action
Disease Model Development Services
- Bilateral Corticobulbar Tract Lesion Models: Surgical or chemical disruption of corticobulbar pathways in rodents/non-human primates to mimic UMN degeneration.
- TDP-43 Transgenic Model: This model expresses mutant human TDP-43 protein to replicate neurodegeneration.
Specializing in comprehensive preclinical assessment, Protheragen offers professional pharmacodynamic (PD), pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicology research services to accelerate the therapeutic development of pseudobulbar palsy. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
Reference
- Ahmed A, Simmons Z. Pseudobulbar affect: prevalence and management[J]. Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management, 2013: 483-489.