ORGANIC EMOTIONAL LABILITY IN ISCHEMIC STROKE

Ischemic stroke remains one of the most common and debilitating neurological conditions worldwide, contributing significantly to long-term disability and mortality. Beyond the well-known motor and cognitive sequelae, patients frequently develop neuropsychiatric complications that profoundly impact recovery and quality of life. Among these, organic emotional lability (OEL) occupies a particularly important place. OEL is defined as the pathological instability of emotional expression characterized by disproportionate or inappropriate affective responses, sudden mood swings, increased tearfulness, irritability, or episodes of involuntary laughter and crying. Unlike purely functional disorders, OEL after stroke arises directly from organic brain damage, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, limbic system, and brainstem regions responsible for affect regulation. The present article reviews the clinical significance, pathophysiological mechanisms, and diagnostic approaches to OEL in patients with ischemic stroke. Special attention is given to neuropsychological assessment, biochemical markers of systemic inflammation, and neuroimaging findings correlating lesion localization with severity of emotional dysregulation. Data from recent clinical and experimental studies suggest that OEL not only complicates rehabilitation but also serves as an independent predictor of recurrent stroke, cognitive decline, and reduced social reintegration. Therefore, timely recognition and targeted interventions addressing OEL are essential to comprehensive stroke management. The study emphasizes the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach that integrates neurology, psychiatry, and neuropsychology in the evaluation and treatment of post-stroke patients. Recognition of OEL as an integral component of post-stroke syndrome opens opportunities for improved therapeutic protocols, patient compliance, and long-term functional outcomes.