Study for Emotionality in ALS As many of you know, we are currently recruiting participants for a clinical trial for those with "pseudobulbar effect," an aspect of ALS that some patients experience and that causes emotional lability--excessive laughing and/or crying. A recent newsletter from the sponsor, Avanir Pharmaceuticals, featured a letter from a study participant who is now taking the compounded drug, under the care of the principal investigator, after participating in the trial. This will interest you if you think that you might be a candidate for this study: "I was originally on nortriptyline [Elavil] to help with the wild mood swings from ALS. It helped somewhat, but in the morning I felt like I had a hangover. It took the better part of the morning to wake up. I could not watch a sad movie or listen to sad music without crying. Every couple of weeks the emotion would build up, and then I would lose it and break down, depressed [with] uncontrolled crying. Since being on [the study drug], I wake up with much more energy and no hang over. I have much better control on laughter, and have not had any crying spells since being on the drug. I have not noticed any side effects....". If you are interested in this research study, please contact ALSCenter@columbia.edu or call 212-305-1319