Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Transient Global Amnesia: A Brief Review and Update

  • Behavior (Howard S. Kirshner, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a transitory syndrome of memory loss, lasting less than 24 h. Although there are many known causes of transient amnesia, the syndrome of TGA remains of unknown etiology. Known causes of transient amnesia, theories of pathogenesis of TGA, and recommended evaluation and treatment are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Benon R. Les ictus amnesiques dans les demences ‘organiques’. Ann Med Psychol. 1909;67:2007–19.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Bender MB. Syndrome of isolated episode of confusion with amnesia. J Hillside Hosp. 1956;5:212–5.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Guyotat MM, Courjon J. Les ictus amnesiques. J Med Lyon. 1956;37:697–701.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Fisher CM, Adams RD. Transient global amnesia. Trans Am Neurol Assoc. 1958;83:143–6.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Fisher CM, Adams RD. Transient global amnesia. Acta Neurol Scand. 1964;40 Suppl 9:1–83.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Hodges JR, Warlow CP. The aetiology of transient global amnesia: a case control study of 114 cases with prospective follow-up. Brain. 1990;113:639–57.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Miller JW, Peterson RC, Metter EJ. Transient global amnesia: clinical characteristics and prognosis. Neurology. 1987;37:733–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Zorzon M, Antonutti L, Mase G, et al. Transient global amnesia and transient ischemic attack. Natural history, vascular risk factors, and associated conditions. Stroke. 1995;26:1536–42.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Hodges JR, Warlow CP. Syndromes of transient amnesia: towards a classification. A study of 153 cases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr. 1990;53:834–43.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Nausieda PA, Sherman IC. Long-term prognosis in transient global amnesia. JAMA. 1979;241:392–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Olesen J, Jorgensen MB. Leao’s spreading depression in the hippocampus explains transient global amnesia: a hypothesis. Acta Neurol Scand. 1986;73:219–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Shuping JR, Rollinson RD, Toole JF. Transient global amnesia. Ann Neurol. 1980;7:281–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. •• Bartsch T, Deuschl G. Transient global amnesia: functional anatomy and clinical implications. Lancet Neurol. 2010;9:205–14. This is a good review of the syndrome, with discussion of the neuroanatomy of memory pathways.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Lynch S, Yarnell PR. Retrograde amnesia: delayed forgetting after concussion. Am Psychol. 1973;86:643–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Haas DC, Ross GS. Transient global amnesia triggered by mild head trauma. Brain. 1986;109:251–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Gilbert GJ. Transient global amnesia: manifestation of medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Clin Electroencephalogr. 1978;9:147–52.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Dugan TM, Nordgren RD, O’Leary P. Transient global amnesia associated with bradycardia and temporal lobe spikes. Cortex. 1981;17:633–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Bilo L, Meo R, Ruosi P, et al. Transient epileptic amnesia: an emerging late-onset epileptic syndrome. Epilepsia. 2009;50 Suppl 5:58–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Poser CM, Ziegler DK. Temporary amnesia as a manifestation of cerebrovascular insufficiency. Trans Am Neurol Assoc. 1960;85:221–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Gorelick PB, Amico LL, Ganellen R, Benevento LA. Transient global amnesia and thalamic infarction. Neurology. 1988;38:496–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Bogousslavsky J, Regli F. Transient global amnesia and stroke. Eur Neurol. 1988;28:106–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Shuttleworth EC, Wise GR. Transient global amnesia due to arterial embolism. Arch Neurol. 1973;29:340–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Gilbert JJ, Benson DF. Transient global amnesia: report of two cases with definite etiologies. J Nerv Ment Dis. 1972;154:461–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Olivarius B, Jensen TS. Transient global amnesia in migraine. Headache. 1979;19:335–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Caplan L, Chedru F, Lhermitte F, Mayman C. Transient global amnesia and migraine. Neurology. 1981;31:1167–70.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Olesen J, Jørgensen MB. Leao’s spreading depression in the hippocampus explains transient global amnesia. A hypothesis. Acta Neurol Scand. 1986;73:219–20.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Ehyai A, Fenichel GM. The natural history of acute confusional migraine. Arch Neurol. 1978;35:368–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Schmidtke K, Ehmsen L. Transient global amnesia and migraine. A case control study. Eur Neurol. 1998;40:9–14.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Morris HH, Estes ML. Traveler’s amnesia. Transient global amnesia secondary to Triazolam. JAMA. 1987;258:945–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Tsai MY, Tsai MH, Yang SC, et al. Transient global amnesia-like episode due to mistaken intake of zolpidem: drug safety concern in the elderly. J Patient Saf. 2009;5:32–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Goodwin DW, Crane JB, Guze SB. Alcoholic “blackouts”: a review and clinical study of 100 alcoholics. Am J Psychiatr. 1969;126:191–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Hartley TC, Heilman KM, Garcia-Bengochia F. A case of a transient global amnesia due to a pituitary tumor. Neurology. 1974;24:998–1000.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Lisak RP, Zimmerman RA. Transient global amnesia due to a dominant hemisphere tumor. Arch Neurol. 1977;34:317–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Jaffe R, Bender MB. E.E.G. studies in the syndrome of isolated episodes of confusion with amnesia “transient global amnesia”. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr. 1966;29:472–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Mathew NT, Meyer JS. Pathogenesis and natural history of transient global amnesia. Stroke. 1974;5:303–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kushner M, Hauser W. Transient global amnesia: a case-control study. Ann Neurol. 1985;18:684–91.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Strupp M, Bruning R, Wu RHH, et al. Diffusion-weighted MRI in transient global amnesia: elevated signal intensity in the left mesial temporal lobe in 7 of 10 patients. Ann Neurol. 1998;43:164–70.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ay H, Furie KL, Yamada K. Diffusion-weighted MRI characterizes the ischemic lesion in transient global amnesia. Neurology. 1998;51:901–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Eustache F, Desgranges B, Petit-Taboue MC. Transient global amnesia: implicit/explicit memory dissociation and PET assessment of brain perfusion and oxygen metabolism in the acute stage. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr. 1997;63:357–67.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Yang Y, Kim S, Kim JH. Ischemic evidence of transient global amnesia: location of the lesion in the hippocampus. J Clin Neurol. 2008;4:59–66.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Alberici E, Pichiecchio AE, Caverzasi E, et al. Transient global amnesia: hippocampal magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Funct Neurol. 2008;23:149–52.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lee SY, Kim WJ, Suh SH, et al. Higher lesion detection by 3.0 T MRI in patients with transient global amnesia. Yonsei Med J. 2009;50:211–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Lewis SL. Aetiology of transient global amnesia. Lancet. 1998;352:397–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Sander D, Winbeck K, Etgen T, et al. Disturbance of venous flow patterns in patients with transient global amnesia. Lancet. 2000;356:1982–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Schrieber SJ, Doepp F, Klingebiel R, Valdueza JM. Internal jugular vein valve incompetence and intracranial venous anatomy in transient global amnesia. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatr. 2005;76:509–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Chung C, Hsu H, Chao A, et al. Detection of intracranial venous reflux in patients with transient global amnesia. Neurology. 2006;66:1873–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. • Cejas C, Cisneros LF, Lagos R, et al. Internal jugular vein valve incompetence is highly prevalent in transient global amnesia. Stroke. 2010;41:67–71. This article contains an up-to-date summary on the evidence for jugular vein incompetence as a cause of TGA.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Altamura C, Vernieri F. Internal jugular vein valve incompetence in transient global amnesia. More circumstantial evidence or the proof solving the mystery? Stroke. 2010;41:1–2.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Disclosure

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37232, USA

    Howard S. Kirshner

Authors
  1. Howard S. Kirshner
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Howard S. Kirshner.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kirshner, H.S. Transient Global Amnesia: A Brief Review and Update. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 11, 578–582 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-011-0224-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-011-0224-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation