Transient global amnesia (TGA): clinical features

Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .

Transient global amnesia (TGA): clinical features. TGA is characterised by an episode of abrupt onset amnesia. Fully referenced neurology checklist.

Onset and duration

  • TGA is characterised by an episode of abrupt onset amnesia
  • The duration is usually 1-24 hours but 3% of cases last <1 hour
  • The onset is usually in the morning but not on awakening
  • It is recurrent in 6-30% of cases
  • Recurrence can occur multiple times

Amnesia features

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Associated neurological features

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Associated cardiac features

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Other associated features

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Exclusion criteria

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Diagnostic criteria

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

Possible predictors of recurrent TGA

Locked: subscribe to see this section.

References

  1. Kirshner HS. Transient global amnesia: a brief review and update. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2011; 11:578-582.
  2. Quinette P, Guillery-Girard B, Dayan J, et al. What does transient global amnesia really mean? Review of the literature and thorough study of 142 cases. Brain 2006; 129:1640-1658.
  3. Brigo F, Tezzon F, Nardone R. "Once again she forgets everything!": a patient with four episodes of transient global amnesia within less than 5 years. Acta Neurol Belg 2018; 118:319-320.
  4. Piffer S, Nannoni S, Maulucci F, et al. Transient global amnesia with unexpected clinical and radiological findings: A case series and systematic review. J Neurol Sci 2022; 441:120349.
  5. Nagamine T. Transient global amnesia with transient anosmia: a curious case suggestive of middle cerebral artery occlusion. J Integr Neurosci 2022; 21:103.
  6. And 15 more. Subscribe to see the full list

Related checklists

Loading...