Transient global amnesia due to fatigue

Fatigue alone does not usually lead to complete (= global) amnesia. There is no connection between classic transient global amnesia and fatigue. Frequently, however, fatigue is accompanied by disturbances in the ability to concentrate and a reduced ability to comprehend.

The ability to remember can also be limited. New content can no longer be stored in the memory as well. Old memories, for example biographical information, can usually be retrieved for a long time without any problems, even when tired.

Transient global amnesia due to migraine

A connection between transient global amnesia (TGA) and the clinical picture of migraine is repeatedly suspected. Studies have found that up to 30% of patients affected by TGA have had a migraine attack in their lifetime. Patients with a TGA often report headaches. However, it has not yet been observed that a classic migraine attack leads to a TGA. It should be known that migraine is a widespread clinical picture in general, and that over 20% of the general population have suffered from migraine at least once in their lives.

Diagnostics

The basis for any diagnosis is anamnesis and physical examination. In case of a memory disorder, a thorough neurological examination must be performed. This is usually unremarkable in case of transient global amnesia (TGA).

The second step should always be a more detailed diagnosis. Computer tomography is the method of choice. Although there are no specific abnormalities in the CT image in the case of TGA, the examination is important to rule out a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage. The diagnosis of a TGA can often only be confirmed afterwards. If the memory performance returns after 24 hours at the latest, a TGA is assumed.

Symptoms of transient global amnesia

The leading symptom of transient global amnesia (TGA) is memory impairment. The patient’s retentiveness is reduced. This leads to a disturbance of orientation.The patient cannot give exact information about time, place and situation.

There are also gaps in memory concerning the recent and partly also the older past. This makes many patients uncertain and restless. They often ask the same questions over and over again, even though they have been answered several times before.

It is also typical that motor processes can often still be recalled very well. Driving a car or riding a bicycle usually causes no problems for the patients. Headaches are also mentioned as an accompanying symptom.

Other neurological symptoms such as sensory disturbances or paralysis do not occur with a TGA. Therefore, if other accompanying symptoms occur, the diagnosis of a TGA must be critically questioned. Differential diagnoses for memory disorders are always stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, craniocerebral trauma or epilepsy. Therefore, one should look very carefully for corresponding accompanying symptoms that are not typical for a TGA.