Transient global amnesia - A clinical study

Abstract

Introduction: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is defined as a selective deficit of the memory that appears suddenly and lasts less than 24 hours. The precise pathophysiology of transient global amnesia is not clear; various brain regions may possibly be affected. Patients and method: Our series of patients with TGA were included in a prospective study during 2004-2009. The diagnosis was based on positive clinical signs and negative symptoms for other neurological disease. We recorded: risk factors, precipitating events, associated symptoms, duration, incidence in daytime and season, recurrence. History of toxic substance intake was exclusion criteria. Laboratory tests, EEG, ECG and brain MRI were performed. Results: 18 patients were diagnosed as TGA, 6 (33.33%) men, 12 (66.66%) women, age: 36-72-year-old. 2 (11.11%) had no risk factors. We found personality changes in 12 (66%), high blood pressure in 6 (33%), history of migraine in 5 (27.77%), previous stroke in 3 (16.66%), diabetes in 1 (11.11%). The precipitating event for TGA was emotional stress in 10 (55.55%), physical exertion in 2 (11.11%), hot bath in 2 (11.11%), not identified in 4 (22.22%). 4 patients (22.22%) were observed during the episode. 8 patients (44.4%)had reoccurring events. MRI disclosed thalamic lesion in 6 (33.33%), multiple lesion in 5 (27.77%) and was normal in 7 (38.88%). Conclusion: These findings suggest that transient global amnesia may sometimes be associated with stroke.

Keywords

• transient global amnesia
• stroke