What Are the Treatments for Transient Global Amnesia?

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a neural condition that can cause acute temporary memory loss. People who suffer from TGA are unable to retain any memories of recent events and have an impaired ability to retain any new information. Language, social skills and long-term memory tend to remain intact, but the individual may be irritable, agitated and confused by his surroundings. Fortunately, the condition is rare. Although the effects of TGA tend to disappear by themselves and no aftereffects have been confirmed, treatment can still be helpful.

Underlying Causes

• TGA may be the result of a physically or emotionally stressful incident. According to the Mayo Clinic, examples of common triggers are sudden immersion in hot or cold water, strenuous physical activity and acute emotional stress. These triggers should be avoided in the future, if possible. TGA can also be the result of transient ischemic attack, which is a temporary neurological disorder caused by a lack of blood flow to the brain. If transient ischemic attack is determined to be the underlying cause of TGA, the patient should be evaluated for stroke risk factors.

Reassurance and Support

• It is important to help keep a patient suffering from TGA calm throughout the experience. She may be confused as to where she is or what she is doing. The presence and support of a loved one is especially important for the patient's emotional well-being and can help alleviate stress in a frightened patient.

Follow-up

• A follow-up examination with a neurologist is required for patients afflicted with TGA. This will help determine whether the TGA is a symptom of another disease such as Alzheimer's, cardioembolic stroke or thrombosis in the basilar artery, as well as allow the neurologist to assess the patient's recovery.