Transient Global Amnesia

It manifests itself as a sudden onset of new memory loss that lasts for several hours and then recedes, accompanied by varying degrees of reversible old memory impairment. Although benign and self-limiting, the rapid onset is highly distressing for those affected and their relatives. There is no acute therapy. The symptoms subside on their own after just a few hours – without any subsequent damage.

What symptoms does a TGA have? The main symptom is the acute impairment of declarative new memory (anterograde amnesia): patients are unable to store new memory content. They are usually not orientated to the time and situation, but are always orientated to the person. They are conscious , not impaired in vigilance , and normally sociable. Those affected often attract the attention of people around them by repeatedly asking the same questions without being able to remember the answers. Actions and events, such as a trip to the hospital or medical examinations, are forgotten after less than a minute. At the same time, there is a disturbance in the recall of memory content that was acquire d shortly before the TGA (retrograde amnesia). This mainly affects events from the recent past (e.g., travelling or visits). Very old memories and factual knowledge about personal and public life always remain intact. Those affected can still carry out automated activities such as driving a car or playing an instrument. The symptoms of TGA can be explained by a bilateral dysfunction of the hippocampal system, i.e. the hippocampal formation and the upstream and downstream structures.

At what age does the disorder occur most frequently? TGA mainly occurs in people between the ages of 50 and 70; it is very rare in patients under the age of 50 and about equally frequent in men and women.

What are the factors for this type of amnesia? The causes of TGA are unknown. About half of TGA episodes appear to occur spontaneously. The remaining cases are precede d by certain situations that are regarded as triggers . These include intense physical exercise, intense pain, emotional stress, but also immersion in cold water or sexual intercourse.

Which diagnostics are carried out? In order to diagnose TGA, other possible causes of memory loss must be excluded, such as stroke s or epileptic seizures . A detailed medical history and a thorough neurological examination with special amnesia tests are also essential. Depending on the results, additional imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG) or, in rare cases, an analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid may be required.

How long does the disorder last? TGA gradually recede s over a period of hours, usually after one to eight hours, with a maximum duration of 24 hours. During the remission phase, the affected person is able to memorize the content of conversations, initially in fragments and then more and more clearly. A TGA occurring in the afternoon or evening usually subside s after a night‘s sleep. A permanent amnestic gap remains for the period in which the TGA was fully developed, as well as for a short preceding period of around 20 minutes. Beyond this, there are no permanent impairment s. It is important to reassure the affected person and their relatives and explain to them that the symptoms are temporary and will not leave any permanent damage. Once the episode is over, the memories return. The physical and neurological status are usually normal during the TGA. Sometimes there are accompanying vegetative symptoms, such as mild headaches or nausea. Some patients appear anxious, distressed or restless, others unusually calm and lacking in drive. Some complain of a slight feeling of light-headedness. Other cognitive functions, such as speech or thinking, are normal during the TGA. These symptoms also spontaneously vanish within a few hours.

What is the long-term prognosis after a TGA? Even though the cause of the TGA is still unclear, the long-term prognosis after a TGA is favourable . Due to the spontaneous and complete regression of the symptoms, there is no need for treatment. Observation of the patient is recommended until the symptoms subside. A follow-up examination should be carried out the following day and the patient should be reassured about the benign nature of the condition.

Is there an increased likelihood of dementia later in life? There are no increased risks of strokes or the development of dementia; only in less than one in ten cases does a further episode of TGA occur during the course of a lifetime.

EXERCISE:

1. People which are affected with TGA often attract the attention of people around them by repeatedly asking the same questions without being able to remember the answers. A) True B) False

2. Triggers for TGA could be: A) Sexual intercourse B) Immersion in cold water C) Emotional stress D) Intense pain E) Intense physical exercise

3. Due to the spontaneous and complete regression of the symptoms of a TGA, there is no need for treatment. A) True B) False

You’ll find the answer below.

BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. www.dict.cc

2. Larner A J: Transient Global Amnesia, Springer 2022.

3. www.mayoclinic.org

4. www.uni-heidelberg.de

5. www.webster-dictionary.org

CARMEN LOBITZ Carmen Lobitz ist freie Trainerin, Lehrerin und MTL. Sie gründete 1998 in Berlin lobitz seminare, die unter anderem Englischseminare für Health Professionals anbieten. Kontakt: mail@lobitz-seminare.de www.lobitz-seminare.de

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Lösung für Exercise:

1. A

2. A–E

3. A

Transient Global Amnesia

What symptoms does a TGA have?

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Transient Global Amnesia

What symptoms does a TGA have?

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