USMLE Forum Archives - USMLE Step 3 - global amnesia
global amnesia
conym5 - 07-15-09 19:23
Transient global amnesia is a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can't be attributed to a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy, transient ischemic attack, stroke or head injury. During an episode of transient global amnesia, your recall of recent events simply vanishes, so you can't remember where you are or how you got there. You may also draw a blank when asked to remember things that happened a day, a month or even a year ago. You do remember who you are, and you recognize family members and others you have known for a long time, but that knowledge doesn't make your memory loss any less disturbing.
Transient global amnesia would be even more distressing if it recurred more often or lasted longer than it does. The condition is rare to start with, and among the few who do have one episode, a second episode is uncommon. Also, episodes of transient global amnesia last only six hours, on average — although an episode of any length is frightening to witness or experience.
When an episode of transient global amnesia is over, you remember nothing that happened while your memory was impaired, and you might not recall the hours beforehand. Otherwise, though, your memory is fine.
Diagnostic criteria
The criteria for a diagnosis of transient global amnesia are:
* Sudden onset of memory loss, verified by a witness
* Retention of personal identity despite memory loss
* Normal cognition (ability to recognize and name familiar objects and follow simple directions, for example)
* Absence of signs indicating damage to a particular area of the brain (limb paralysis, involuntary movement or impaired word recognition, for example)
* Duration of no more than 24 hours
* Gradual return of memory
* No evidence of seizures during the period of amnesia
* No history of active epilepsy or recent head injury
Causes:
About half of all transient global amnesia episodes start just after a physically or emotionally stressful incident. Among the triggering events commonly reported are:
* Sudden immersion in cold or hot water
* Strenuous physical activity
* Sexual intercourse
* Medical procedures, such as angiography or endoscopy
* Acute emotional distress, as might be provoked by bad news, conflict or overwork
Treatments and drugs:
No treatment is needed for transient global amnesia. It's self-limited and has no confirmed after-effects
conym5 - 07-15-09 19:23
Transient global amnesia is a sudden, temporary episode of memory loss that can't be attributed to a more common neurological condition, such as epilepsy, transient ischemic attack, stroke or head injury. During an episode of transient global amnesia, your recall of recent events simply vanishes, so you can't remember where you are or how you got there. You may also draw a blank when asked to remember things that happened a day, a month or even a year ago. You do remember who you are, and you recognize family members and others you have known for a long time, but that knowledge doesn't make your memory loss any less disturbing.
Transient global amnesia would be even more distressing if it recurred more often or lasted longer than it does. The condition is rare to start with, and among the few who do have one episode, a second episode is uncommon. Also, episodes of transient global amnesia last only six hours, on average — although an episode of any length is frightening to witness or experience.
When an episode of transient global amnesia is over, you remember nothing that happened while your memory was impaired, and you might not recall the hours beforehand. Otherwise, though, your memory is fine.
Diagnostic criteria
The criteria for a diagnosis of transient global amnesia are:
* Sudden onset of memory loss, verified by a witness
* Retention of personal identity despite memory loss
* Normal cognition (ability to recognize and name familiar objects and follow simple directions, for example)
* Absence of signs indicating damage to a particular area of the brain (limb paralysis, involuntary movement or impaired word recognition, for example)
* Duration of no more than 24 hours
* Gradual return of memory
* No evidence of seizures during the period of amnesia
* No history of active epilepsy or recent head injury
Causes:
About half of all transient global amnesia episodes start just after a physically or emotionally stressful incident. Among the triggering events commonly reported are:
* Sudden immersion in cold or hot water
* Strenuous physical activity
* Sexual intercourse
* Medical procedures, such as angiography or endoscopy
* Acute emotional distress, as might be provoked by bad news, conflict or overwork
Treatments and drugs:
No treatment is needed for transient global amnesia. It's self-limited and has no confirmed after-effects
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