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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffTransient global amnesia is identified by its main symptom, which is the inability to lay down new memories and to recall the recent past. Once that symptom is confirmed, ruling out other possible causes of amnesia is important.
Necessary symptoms for diagnosis
Doctors base a diagnosis of transient global amnesia on the following signs and symptoms:
- 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
Additional signs and symptoms
These signs and symptoms sometimes accompany memory loss in transient global amnesia:
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Chills or flushing
- Fear of dying
- Pins-and-needles sensation
- Cold hands and feet
- Powerful expression of emotion
- Trembling
- Sweating
- Chest or neck pain
- Visual disturbance
- Racing heartbeat
Episodes of transient global amnesia last only six hours, on average, and there is no lasting damage. When an episode is over, you remember nothing that happened while your memory was impaired, and you might not recall several hours beforehand. Otherwise, though, your memory is fine.
When to see a doctor
Anyone who quickly goes from normal awareness of unfolding reality to confusion about what just happened requires immediate medical attention. If the person experiencing memory loss is too disoriented to call an ambulance, call one yourself.
Although transient global amnesia isn't harmful, there's no easy way to distinguish the condition from the life-threatening illnesses that can also cause sudden memory loss. In fact, sudden amnesia is much more likely to be caused by a stroke or a seizure than by transient global amnesia. A medical evaluation is the only way to determine the cause of sudden memory loss.
- Transient global amnesia. In: Moore DP, et al. Handbook of Medical Psychiatry. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142042674-4/849601650/1243/207.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02911-6..50207-4_1884. Accessed June 6, 2009.
- Brewer JB, et al. Memory. In: Goetz GD. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: W.B. Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142042674-3/0/1488/42.html?tocnode=53800427&fromURL=42.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3618-0..10005-0_195. Accessed June 6, 2009.
- Bourgeois JA, et al. Delirium, dementia, and amnestic and other cognitive disorders. In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Clinical Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2009. http://psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 6, 2009.
- Feldman MD. Amnestic disorder. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142042674-6/849601967/1701/33.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50004-5--subchapter28_613. Accessed June 6, 2009.
- Shekhar R. Transient global amnesia. International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2008;62:939.
- Davis PH. Transient global amnesia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 6, 2009.
- RC Petersen (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 4, 2009.
