title: Pathological laughter.
abstract: A man experienced one hour and 40 minutes of continual, inappropriate, uncontrollable laughter. The onset was preceded by a single-inhalation exposure to an insecticide of very low toxicity. The episode was terminated by a single dose of IV diazepam. A discussion of pathological laughter, including its proposed pathophysiology, differential diagnosis, clinical relevance, and management, is presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Akron General Medical Center, Ohio 44307.
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Zellers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dougherty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007306:Insecticides / Q000009:adverse effects*; D054833:Isoindoles; D007845:Laughter / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D009636:Norbornanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide / Q000009:adverse effects; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D054833:Isoindoles; D009636:Norbornanes; D011722:Pyrethrins; C063196:WC Insect Finish; C004371:N-(2-ethylhexyl)-5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxamide; D010882:Piperonyl Butoxide; D003975:Diazepam