What is Transient Global Amnesia

Transient global amnesia causes a sudden and temporary (transient) loss of memory (amnesia). You may recall memories from your distant past and people you know well.

However, you may not recall things that happened more recently in the past days, months, or even year. A transient global amnesia episode does not last longer than 24 hours.

Transient global amnesia does not affect your other brain functions. Your memory usually returns to normal after an episode is over.

One episode of transient global amnesia does not make you more likely to have a stroke, a relapse, or other complications.

What are the causes?

The cause of this condition is not known.

Certain activities have been reported to trigger transient global amnesia. These activities include:

• Swimming in very cold or hot water.
• Sexual intercourse.
• Emotional distress, such as receiving bad news or having a lot of stress at once.
• Strenuous exercise or activity.

What increases the risk?

You are more likely to develop this condition if:

• You are 50–70 years old.
• You have a history of migraine headaches.

What are the signs or symptoms?

The main symptoms of this condition include:

• Being unable to remember recent events.
• Asking repetitive questions about a situation and surroundings and not recalling the answers to these questions.

Other symptoms include:

• Restlessness and nervousness.
• Confusion.
• Headaches.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• A physical exam.
• A test to check your mental abilities (cognitive evaluation).
• Imaging studies to check brain function. These may include:
  • Electroencephalogram (EEG). This test checks the brain’s electrical activity.
  • CT scan.
  • MRI.

How is this treated?

There is no treatment for this condition. An episode typically goes away on its own after a few hours. You may receive medicines to treat other conditions, such as a migraine.

Follow these instructions at home:

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
• Avoid taking medicines that can affect thinking, such as pain or sleeping medicines.
• Learn what activities may trigger an episode. Avoid these activities as told by your health care provider.
• Find ways to manage stress, such as meditation or yoga.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Have a migraine that does not go away.
• Experience transient global amnesia repeatedly.

Get help right away if you:

• Have a seizure.

Summary

• Transient global amnesia causes a sudden and temporary (transient) loss of memory (amnesia).
• There is no treatment for this condition. An episode typically goes away on its own after a few hours.
• You may receive medicines to treat other conditions, such as a migraine.
• Transient global amnesia does not affect your other brain functions. Your memory usually returns to normal after an episode is over.