![]() One of its bizarre features is perseveration, in which the victim of an attack faithfully and methodically repeats statements or questions, complete with profoundly identical intonation and gestures "as if a fragment of a sound track is being repeatedly rerun." This is found in almost all TGA attacks and is sometimes considered a defining characteristic of the condition. A person experiencing TGA typically has memory only of the past few minutes or less, and cannot retain new information beyond that period of time. This onset of TGA is generally fairly rapid, and its duration varies but generally lasts between 2 and 8 hours. There were no features of epilepsy, or active epilepsy in the past two years, and the patient did not have any recent head injury.There were no focal neurological signs or deficits during or after the attack. ![]() There was an absence of clouding of consciousness or other cognitive impairment other than amnesia.The attack was witnessed by a capable observer and reported as being a definite loss of recent memory (anterograde amnesia).The diagnostic criteria for TGA, as defined for purposes of clinical research, include: The degree of amnesia is profound, and, in the interval during which the individual is aware of his or her condition, is often accompanied by anxiety. The individual simply cannot recall anything that happened outside the last few minutes, while memory for more temporally distant events may or may not be largely intact. A patient with anterograde amnesia may not be able to form new memories indefinitely.Ī person having an attack of TGA has almost no capacity to establish new memories, but generally appears otherwise mentally alert and lucid, possessing full knowledge of self-identity and identity of close family, and maintaining intact perceptual skills and a wide repertoire of complex learned behavior. However, a TGA episode generally lasts no more than 2 to 8 hours before the patient returns to normal with the ability to form new memories. A person in a state of TGA exhibits no other signs of impaired cognitive functioning but recalls only the last few moments of consciousness, as well as possibly a few deeply encoded facts of the individual's past, such as their childhood, family, or home perhaps.īoth TGA and anterograde amnesia deal with disruptions of short-term memory. Transient global amnesia ( TGA) is a neurological disorder whose key defining characteristic is a temporary but almost total disruption of short-term memory with a range of problems accessing older memories. However, if you have experienced any of the symptoms listed above, it is wise to consult a doctor immediately to rule out the possibility of any other underlying medical conditions which may require urgent medical attention.Temporary disruption of short-term memory There are no specific treatments for TGA as symptoms typically resolve on their own within 24 hours. How do I prevent myself from getting TGA?Īs the definitive cause of TGA is unknown and the rate of recurrence is low at about 2.9 to 26.3%, there are no concrete ways to prevent the condition. Additionally, your doctor may also make use of neuroimaging in the form of CT and MRI scans to rule out other conditions which may mimic the symptoms of TGA, such as brain ischemia, whereby there is insufficient blood flow to the brain to meet metabolic demands. Your doctor may ask you about your symptoms and medical history as well. To diagnose your TGA, your doctor will have to conduct a thorough medical examination. There have also been reports of associations between migraines and TGA, whereby those with a history of migraines may be at a significantly higher risk of TGA than those without. Individuals, particularly females, over the age of 50 have a higher risk of experiencing an episode of TGA. A Valsalva maneuver (a breathing method that helps to slow down one’s heart rate)Īs of now, the clearest risk factor of TGA is age.Medical procedures (endoscopy, angiography).However, some commonly reported triggers include: What are the causes and risk factors of TGA?Ĭurrently, there are no known underlying causes of TGA. No evidence of epilepsy or seizures during TGA episode.Repeated questioning of transpired events.If you have TGA, you will likely experience a sudden onset of temporary memory loss.
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