Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T21:16:58.780Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Transient global amnesia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2013

P Boovalingam  and
N Shah
P Boovalingam
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
N Shah*
Affiliation:
Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Nainal Shah, Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 5WW, UK. Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Transient global amnesia (TGA) has been described since the 19th century. It is characterized by an episode of anterograde and retrograde amnesia lasting less than 24 hours. During this episode patients are conscious and able to interact normally, but are typically distressed and repeat questions without remembering explanations. Despite progress in medical imaging, no cause for the condition has been proven. Prognosis is excellent and management centres on recognition and reassurance. We describe the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and management.

Keywords

transient global amnesiavenous flowmigraineolder peopleepilepsy
Type
Review Article
Information
Reviews in Clinical Gerontology , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , August 2013 , pp. 189 - 195
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1Ribot, T. Transient global amnesia. Missing memory. Mayo Clin Health Lett 2012; 30: 6.Google Scholar
2Benon, R. Les ictus amnesiques dans les demences ‘organiques’. Ann Méd Psychol 1909; 67: 207–19.Google Scholar
3Bender, MB. Syndrome of isolated episode of confusion with amnesia. J Hillside Hosp 1956; 5: 212–15.Google Scholar
4Guyotat, M, Courjon, J. Les ictus amnesiques. J Med Lyon 1956; 37: 697–701.Google Scholar
5Fisher, CM, Adams, RD. Transient global amnesia. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl 1964; 40 suppl 9: 1–83.Google ScholarPubMed
6Hodges, JR, Warlow, CP. Syndromes of transient amnesia: towards a classification. A study of 153 cases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1990; 53: 834–43.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
7Melo, TP, Ferro, JM, Ferro, H. Transient global amnesia. A case control study. Brain 1992; 115: 261–70.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Vyhnalek, M, Bojar, M, Jerabek, J, Hort, J. Long lasting recurrent familiar transient global amnesia after beta blocker treatment withdrawal: case report. Neuro Endocrinol Lett 2008; 29: 44–46.Google ScholarPubMed
9Segers-van Rijn, J, de Bruijn, SF. Transient global amnesia: a genetic disorder? Eur Neurol 2010; 63: 186–87.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10Dupuis, F, Evrard, F, Jacquerye, P, Picard, G, Goossens, C, Ghysens, Oet al.Is transient global amnesia hereditary: 4 families and a review. Neurology 2012; 78: 4–213.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Sander, K, Sander, D. New insights into transient global amnesia: recent imaging and clinical findings. Lancet Neurol 2005; 4: 437–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12Jager, T, Bazner, H, Kliegel, M, Szabo, K, Hennerici, MG. The transience and nature of cognitive impairments in transient global amnesia: a meta-analysis. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2009; 31: 8–19.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Velasco, R, Al Hussayni, S, Bermejo, PE.[Sexual intercourse as a trigger of transient global amnesia]. Rev Neurol 2008; 47: 301–3.Google ScholarPubMed
14Quinette, P, Guillery-Girard, B, Dayan, J, de La Sayette, V, Marquis, S, Viader, Fet al.What does transient global amnesia really mean? Review of the literature and thorough study of 142 cases. Brain 2006; 129: 1640–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
15Pantoni, L, Lamassa, M, Inzitari, D. Transient global amnesia: a review emphasizing pathogenic aspects. Acta Neurol Scand 2000; 102: 275–83.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16Caplan, LR.Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science, 1985.Google Scholar
17Forster, A, Griebe, M, Gass, A, Kern, R, Hennerici, MG, Szabo, K. Diffusion-weighted imaging for the differential diagnosis of disorders affecting the hippocampus. Cerebrovasc Dis 2012; 33: 104–15.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Alberici, E, Pichiecchio, A, Caverzasi, E, Farina, LM, Persico, A, Cavallini, Aet al.Transient global amnesia: hippocampal magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Funct Neurol 2008; 23:149–52.Google ScholarPubMed
19Badve, MS, Henderson, RD, Jhamb, A, Read, SJ. Hippocampal lesions in transient global amnesia. J Clin Neurosci 2011; 18: 385, 449.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
20Bartsch, T, Alfke, K, Stingele, R, Rohr, A, Freitag-Wolf, S, Jansen, Oet al.Selective affection of hippocampal CA-1 neurons in patients with transient global amnesia without long-term sequelae. Brain 2006; 129: 2874–84.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21Bartsch, T, Alfke, K, Deuschl, G, Jansen, O. Evolution of hippocampal CA-1 diffusion lesions in transient global amnesia. Ann Neurol 2007; 62: 475–80.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
22Chung, CP, Hsu, HY, Chao, AC, Sheng, WY, Soong, BW, Hu, HH. Transient global amnesia: cerebral venous outflow impairment-insight from the abnormal flow patterns of the internal jugular vein. Ultrasound Med Biol 2007; 33: 1727–35.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Agosti, C, Borroni, B, Akkawi, NM, Padovani, A. Cerebrovascular risk factors and triggers in transient global amnesia patients with and without jugular valve incompetence: results from a sample of 243 patients. Eur Neurol 2010; 63: 291–94.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
24Lewis, SL. Aetiology of transient global amnesia. Lancet 1998; 352: 397–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25Agrawal, R, Chandak, TR, Zaretskaya, M. Transient global amnesia: an uncommon differential diagnosis of transient ischemic attack. Hospital Physician 2007; 43: 50–54.Google Scholar
26Zorzon, M, Antonutti, L, Mase, G, Biasutti, E, Vitrani, B, Cazzato, G. Transient global amnesia and transient ischemic attack. Natural history, vascular risk factors, and associated conditions. Stroke 1995; 26: 1536–42.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
27Ahn, S, Kim, W, Lee, YS, Kim, WY, Lee, JH, Oh, BJet al.Transient global amnesia: seven years of experience with diffusion-weighted imaging in an emergency department. Eur Neurol 2011; 65: 123–28.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28Auyeung, M, Tsoi, TH, Cheung, CM, Fong, DY, Li, R, Chan, JKet al.Association of diffusion weighted imaging abnormalities and recurrence in transient global amnesia. J Clin Neurosci 2011; 18: 531–34.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29Winbeck, K, Etgen, T, von Einsiedel, HG, Rottinger, M, Sander, D. DWI in transient global amnesia and TIA: proposal for an ischaemic origin of TGA. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2005; 76: 438–41.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30Schmidtke, K, Ehmsen, L. Transient global amnesia and migraine. A case control study. Eur Neurol 1998; 40: 9–14.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31Davies, PT, Panayiotopoulos, CP. Migraine triggered seizures and epilepsy triggered headache and migraine attacks: a need for re-assessment. J Headache Pain 2011; 12: 287–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
32Caminero, AB, Sanchez Del Rio, GM. [Migraine as a cerebrovascular risk factor]. Neurologia 2012; 27: 103–11.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33Schurks, M, Kurth, T. Is migraine a predictor for identifying patients at risk of stroke? Expert Rev Neurother 2011; 11: 615–18.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
34Trabattoni, D, Fabbiocchi, F, Montorsi, P, Galli, S, Teruzzi, G, Grancini, Let al.Sustained long-term benefit of patent foramen ovale closure on migraine. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2011; 77: 570–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
35Cavestro, C, Micca, G, Molinari, F, Bazzan, M, Di Pietrantonj, C, Aloi, Ret al.Migraineurs show a high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies. J Thromb Haemost 2011; 9: 1350–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
36Moschiano, F, D'Amico, D, Canavero, I, Pan, I, Micieli, G, Bussone, G. Migraine and depression: common pathogenetic and therapeutic ground? Neurol Sci 2011; 32 suppl 1: S85–88.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
37Demaerschalk, BM. Migraine is associated with an increased risk of cervicocephalic arterial dissection. Cephalalgia 2011; 31: 884–85.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
38Evans, RW, de Tommaso, M. Migraine and fibromyalgia. Headache 2011; 51: 295–99.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
39Sas, K, Pardutz, A, Toldi, J, Vecsei, L. Dementia, stroke and migraine – some common pathological mechanisms. J Neurol Sci 2010; 299: 55–65.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
40Bartsch, T, Dohring, J, Rohr, A, Jansen, O, Deuschl, G. CA1 neurons in the human hippocampus are critical for autobiographical memory, mental time travel, and autonoetic consciousness. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2011; 108: 17562–67.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
41Olesen, J, Jorgensen, MB. Leao's spreading depression in the hippocampus explains transient global amnesia. A hypothesis. Acta Neurol Scand 1986; 73: 219–20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
42Cho, YN, Kim, WJ. The clinical factors related with hippocampal lesion of diffusion MRI in transient global amnesia. Neurology 2012; 78 (P03.150).CrossRefGoogle Scholar
43Hunter, G. Transient global amnesia. Neurol Clin 2011; 29:1045–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
44Felix, MM, Castro, LH, Maia, ACJ, da Rocha, AJ. Evidence of acute ischemic tissue change in transient global amnesia in magnetic resonance imaging: case report and literature review. J Neuroimaging 2005; 15: 203–5.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
45Hughlings-Jackson, J. On a particular variety of epilepsy (intellectualaura), one case with symptoms of organic brain disease. Brain 1889; 11: 179–207.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
46Pearce, JM, Bogousslavsky, J. ‘Les ictus amnesiques’ and transient global amnesia. Eur Neurol 2009; 62: 188–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
47Takeuchi, R, Matsuda, H, Yoshioka, K, Yonekura, Y. Cerebral blood flow SPET in transient global amnesia with automated ROI analysis by 3DSRT. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2004; 31: 578–89.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
48Guillery, B, Desgranges, B, de La Sayette, V, Landeau, B, Eustache, F, Baron, JC. Transient global amnesia: concomitant episodic memory and positron emission tomography assessment in two additional patients. Neurosci Lett 2002; 325: 62–66.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49Kirshner, HS. Transient global amnesia: a brief review and update. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2011; 11: 578–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
50Eustache, F, Desgranges, B, Laville, P, Guillery, B, Lalevee, C, Schaeffer, Set al.Episodic memory in transient global amnesia: encoding, storage, or retrieval deficit? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1999; 66: 148–54.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
51Eustache, F, Desgranges, B, Petit-Taboue, MC, de La Sayette, V, Piot, V, Sable, Cet al.Transient global amnesia: implicit/explicit memory dissociation and PET assessment of brain perfusion and oxygen metabolism in the acute stage. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1997; 63: 357–67.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
52Choi, BS, Kim, JH, Jung, C, Kim, SY. High-resolution diffusion-weighted imaging increases lesion detectability in patients with transient global amnesia. Am J Neuroradiol 2012; 33: 1771–74.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
53Bartsch, T, Alfke, K, Wolff, S, Rohr, A, Jansen, O, Deuschl, G. Focal MR spectroscopy of hippocampal CA-1 lesions in transient global amnesia. Neurology 2008; 70: 1030–35.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed