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Transient global amnesia is a brief period of memory loss that is not caused by a more prevalent neurological illness, such as epilepsy or stroke.
During a temporary global amnesia episode, your remembrance of recent events just fades, and you have no idea where you are or how you got there. Furthermore, you may have no recollection of what is happening right now. As a result, you may keep asking the same questions since you don't remember the answers you just received. You may also be unable to recall events that occurred a day, a month, or even a year ago.
The condition primarily affects persons in their forties and fifties. You recall who you are and recognize people you know while you have momentary global amnesia. Transient global amnesia episodes always improve progressively over a few hours. During your recuperation, you may gradually begin to recall events and circumstances. Although transient global amnesia is not dangerous, it can be alarming.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA?
The main symptom of transient global amnesia is the inability to make new memories and recollect the recent past. Once that symptom is confirmed, it is critical to rule out other possible causes of amnesia.
To diagnose temporary global amnesia, the following signs and symptoms must be present:
- A witness confirmed the sudden onset of memory loss.
- Personal identity preservation despite memory loss
- Normal cognition, such as the ability to recognize and name familiar objects and follow simple instructions
- Absence of symptoms indicating brain injury, such as limb paralysis, uncontrollable movement, or impaired word recognition
Additional symptoms and histories that may aid in the diagnosis of transient global amnesia include:
- Duration of no more than 24 hours and in most cases much shorter
- Gradual return of memory
- There was no recent head injury.
- There was no evidence of seizures during the amnesia period.
- There is no history of active epilepsy.
A prominent hallmark of transitory global amnesia, in addition to these signs and symptoms, is repetitive asking, usually of the same subject — for example, "What am I doing here?" or "How did we get here?"
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA?
It is unknown what causes transitory global amnesia. Although the underlying causes that contribute to both diseases are not fully understood, there appears to be a link between temporary global amnesia and a history of migraines. Another possible reason is the overfilling of veins with blood caused by an obstruction or other irregularity in blood flow (venous congestion).
While the risk of momentary global amnesia following these occurrences is quite low, the following are some regularly documented circumstances that may cause it:
- Immersion in cold or hot water without warning
- Exhausting physical activity
- Sexual intercourse
- Medical treatments such as angiography and endoscopy
- Mild head trauma
- Acute emotional anguish, such as that caused by bad news, disagreement, or overwork
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA?
Surprisingly, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which have been associated to strokes, are not risk factors for transitory global amnesia. This is most likely due to the fact that transitory global amnesia does not represent blood vessel diseases of age. Your gender does not appear to influence your risk.
The most obvious risk factors are:
- Age: Persons over the age of 50 are more likely than younger people to experience transitory global amnesia.
- Migraine history: If you suffer from migraines, your risk of transitory global amnesia is substantially higher than that of someone who does not suffer from migraines.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA?
Transient global amnesia has no obvious consequences. It does not put you at risk for stroke or epilepsy. A second episode of transitory global amnesia is possible, but more than two are highly unlikely.
Even brief memory loss, however, can cause mental anguish. If you require reassurance, request that your doctor review the results of your neurological exam and diagnostic testing with you.
HOW IS TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA DIAGNOSED?
The diagnosis of temporary global amnesia is based on ruling out more serious illnesses that might produce the same type of memory loss, such as stroke, seizure, or head injury.
Physical exam
A neurological exam is performed to assess reflexes, muscle tone, muscle strength, sensory function, gait, posture, coordination, and balance. In addition, the doctor may offer questions to assess thinking, judgment, and memory.
Brain and imaging tests
The next step is to conduct tests to search for abnormalities in the electrical activity and blood flow of the brain. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following tests:
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging): A magnetic field and radio waves are used in this approach to obtain detailed cross-sectional pictures of the brain. The MRI machine can combine these slices to create 3D images that may be viewed from a variety of perspectives.
CT (Computerized Tomography): Using specialized X-ray equipment, your doctor captures images from various angles and stitches them together to create cross-sectional images of the brain and skull. CT scans can detect structural abnormalities in the brain, such as constricted, overstretched, or damaged blood arteries, as well as previous strokes.
EEG (Electroencephalogram): An EEG monitors the electrical activity of the brain using electrodes placed to the scalp. Even when they aren't having a seizure, people with epilepsy frequently experience alterations in their brain waves. If you've had more than one incident of transitory global amnesia or if your doctor suspects you're having seizures, this test is frequently ordered.
HOW IS TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA TREATED?
Transient global amnesia does not require treatment. It dissolves on its own and has no known long-term consequences.
HOW CAN TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA BE PREVENTED?
There is no real technique to prevent temporary global amnesia because the cause is unclear and the recurrence rate is low.