Danny Glover Joins PBA Facts Campaign, to Educate and Build Awareness of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA), a Little Known but Widespread Neurologic Condition

ALISO VIEJO, Calif., May 1, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary actor and director Danny Glover joins Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in a new PBAFacts campaign designed to educate and encourage patients with neurologic conditions, and their caregivers, to learn more about Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) and to speak with their physician. The campaign hinges on the idea that an actor has the ability to cry and laugh on cue and how that contrasts with the lack of control experienced by people living with PBA episodes.

While PBA is not well known, an estimated two million Americans suffer from PBA, a neurologic condition characterized by uncontrollable, sudden outbursts of crying and/or laughing that usually don't match what the person is feeling on the inside. PBA occurs in people with brain injuries or certain neurologic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke or multiple sclerosis (MS).  That's why it is so important for consumers to learn that there is a name for this neurologic condition and that it is treatable.

"Sudden outbursts of crying or laughing can be a sign of fine acting. But for some, it could be a sign of PBA," said Danny Glover. 

"We believe Mr. Glover's ability to 'act' PBA outbursts of crying and laughing will increase understanding and help undiagnosed people recognize their symptoms and inspire them to learn more," said Rohan Palekar, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Avanir Pharmaceuticals. "What's more, Mr. Glover's respected status lends dignity to a condition that many sufferers find embarrassing."

The new campaign featuring Danny Glover can be seen on TV, print and digital ads as well as in print materials.  It is also featured on PBAFacts.com, an educational website that explains the science of PBA, has videos from doctors and a PBA assessment that patients can share with their doctor.

About PBA
PBA is a neurologic condition characterized by uncontrollable, disruptive laughing and/or crying outbursts that are often contrary or exaggerated to the patient's inner mood state. As a result, many of those afflicted with PBA show significant impairment on standard measures of health status, and impairments in occupational and social function, often leading to social isolation. PBA occurs secondary to a variety of neurologic conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, stroke and Alzheimer's disease. When these disorders damage areas of the brain that regulate normal emotional expression, they can lead to uncontrollable, disruptive episodes of crying or laughing. For more information about PBA, please visit www.PBAFacts.com.

About Danny Glover
Actor, producer and humanitarian Danny Glover has been a commanding presence on screen, stage and television for more than 25 years.  Glover's film credits range from noted movie roles in Color Purple, Witness, and  the blockbuster Lethal Weapon franchise to smaller independent features, some of which Glover also produced. Glover has also gained respect for his wide-reaching community activism and philanthropic efforts, with a particular emphasis on advocacy for economic justice, and access to health care and education programs in the United States and Africa.

About Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing innovative medicines to patients with central nervous system disorders of high unmet medical need. As part of our commitment, we have extensively invested in our pipeline and are dedicated to advancing medicines that can substantially improve the lives of patients and their loved ones. For more information about Avanir, please visit http://www.avanir.com.

Avanir is a subsidiary of Otsuka America, Inc. (OAI), a holding company established in the U.S. in 1989. OAI is wholly owned by Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a global healthcare company with the corporate philosophy: "Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide."

Otsuka Pharmaceutical is a leading firm in the challenging area of mental health and also has products and research programs for several under-addressed diseases including tuberculosis, a significant global public health issue. These commitments illustrate more powerfully than words how Otsuka is a "big venture" company at heart, applying a youthful spirit of creativity in everything it does.

Otsuka Pharmaceutical and its affiliates employ approximately 30,000 people globally, and the company welcomes you to visit its global website at: http://www.otsuka.co.jp/en/index.php.

Avanir® is a trademark or registered trademark of Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

©2015 Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Avanir Media Contact
Ian Clements, PhD
[email protected]
+1 (949) 389-6700

BrewLife Media Contact
Kelly France, PhD
[email protected] 
+1 (415) 946-1076

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SOURCE Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

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