Transient Global Amnesia

Diagnosis:

Clinical features plus supported investigations

Clinical features:

Acute onset. Lasts 1-24 hours.
Complete antrograde amnesia & limited retrograde amnesia (weeks or months).
May be disoriented to time, place but not to self.
Preserved cognitive functions apart from memory & disorientation
No decrease in level of consciousness. Able to interact appropriately during the episode
No other neurological features apart from: headache, dizziness,
No recent trauma or seizure

Findings on Investigations:

MRI:

  • DWI: occasionally punctate hyperintensities in the hippocampus in dominant lobe or bilaterally.
  • May be completely normal

SPECT: hypoperfusion in temporal lobe & hippocampus acutely. Resolves by 1 week.
EEG: normal

Treatment:

No is necessary. This is a self limited condition.

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