How to Diagnose Anterograde Amnesia

Anterograde amnesia is a loss or memory after a traumatic event. It involves the inability to learn and recall new information while memories that were formed before the trauma are unaffected. Anterograde amnesia is typically caused by injury to the brain, especially the frontal and temporal lobes where memory is stored. The following steps will show how to diagnose anterograde amnesia.

Instructions

• 1

  Inquire about recent sharp blows to the head. A blow that does not result in loss of consciousness can still cause amnesia. Car crashes, sports mishaps and falls are common causes of this type of injury.

• 2

  Investigate other sources of brain damage that may cause anterograde amnesia. These include Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors or infections like encephalitis, strokes or neurodegenerative illness.

• 3

  Look for any past history of drug abuse. Hallucinogens such as LSD or PCP can make it more difficult to recall memories. Alcohol, barbiturates and benzodiazepines also can cause amnesia.

• 4

  Perform routine blood tests to check for systemic diseases. A lumbar puncture also may be needed to obtain cerebral spinal fluid if an infection of the nervous system is suspected.

• 5

  Run a computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance scans as standard imaging techniques for this type of amnesia. An EEG is frequently done to observe the electrical activity in the brain. A cerebral angiography will detect reductions in blood flow to the brain. Contrast dye is injected into the carotid or vertebral arteries, which will allow them to be seen on X-ray.