neurologic disorders
Transient Global Amnesia
Symptoms and Signs of Transient Global Amnesia
The classic presentation in transient global amnesia is Abrupt onset of severe anterograde amnesia But a less severe retrograde amnesia may be the presenting symptom. Episodes usually last for 1 to 8 hours but may last from 30 minutes to 24 hours (rarely). Patients are often disoriented to time and place but usually not to personal identity. Many patients are anxious or agitated and may repeatedly ask questions about transpiring events (eg, "Where are we?" or “What happened?"). Language function, attention, visual-spatial skills, and social skills are retained. Impairments gradually resolve as the episode subsides. Thebenign transient amnesia after substance ingestionis distinct because it Is selectively retrograde (ie, for events during and preceding intoxication) Relates specifically to drug-accompanied events Does not cause confusion (once acute intoxication resolves) Recurs only if similar amounts of the same drug are ingested 