Amnesia overview

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Amnesia Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Amnesia from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X-ray

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

CT

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Amnesia overview On the Web

Most recent articles

cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Amnesia overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Amnesia overview

CDC on Amnesia overview

Amnesia overview in the news

Blogs on Amnesia overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Amnesia

Risk calculators and risk factors for Amnesia overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S[2]

Overview

Amnesia can be divided into two broad groups, retrograde amnesia and anterograde amnesia

Historical Perspective

Richard Semon in 1904 described that experiences cause some changes in the neurons and these changes are referred to as engram and they form memory of the particular experience in those neurons. Reactivation of these neurons occur when patient tries to recall those memories. Theodule-Armand Ribot, a French psychologist determined that memory loss affects recent memories first. Memories are lost in reverse order of their development.

Classification

Amnesia can be divided into two broad groups, retrograde amnesia and anterograde amnesia. Retrograde amnesia is the loss of memory prior to the onset of amnesia and anterograde amnesia is the inability to form new memory. Other types of amnesia are Psychological including repressive amnesia and dissociative fugue, infantile amnesia, neurological amnesia (Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease), post-traumatic Amnesia, drug-Induced Amnesia, transient global amnesia. Memory can also be divided into two groups depending on the duration, short-term memory and long-term memory.

Pathophysiology

Amnesia results from damage to different memory centers in the brain, such as the medial temporal lobe and the hippocampus, which are involved in acquiring and restoring memory.

Causes

Common causes of amnesia include medications, head trauma, depression and aging.

Differentiating Amnesia from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Aging, depression, chronic stress, head trauma, chronic sleep deprivation and medications are risk factors ​for amnesia.

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

There is no diagnostic study of choice to diagnose amnesia. The best approach is to obtain a detailed history followed by a focused physical examination.

History and Symptoms

It is critical to perform a formal and exhaustive assessment of the patient to look for any indications of memory disorders and to hear any subjective complaints. With this information, preventative measures and care can be specifically addressed to the patient's needs. A detailed history of memory loss and associated symptoms is crucial for understanding the etiology of amnesia.

Physical Examination

The physical examination includes a detailed test of thinking and memory (mental status examination or neurocognitive test), and an examination of the nervous system. Recent, intermediate, and long-term memory should be tested.

Laboratory Findings

There is no laboratory test to diagnose memory loss. however, it is important to obtain toxicology screening, alcohol, glucose, electrolytes level.

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with amnesia.

X-ray

There are no x-ray findings associated with amnesia.

Echocardiography and Ultrasound

There are no echocardiography/ultrasound findings associated with amnesia. Although a case of transient global amnesia has been reported in a patient undergoing a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE).

CT

Head CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of the cause of amnesia. Structural and functional abnormalities are identified to detect any bleeding, stroke, tumor, atrophy or any changes suggestive of amnesia.

MRI

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic study

Other diagnostic studies helpful in the diagnosis of the cause amnesia are EEG for epilepsy, CSF fluid analysis for encephalitis.

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Treatment can be offered in cases of reversible conditions. If not, provision of supportive care can help to improve a patient's condition.

Surgery

Surgical intervention is not recommended for the management of memory loss.

Primary Prevention

Measures for the primary prevention of amnesia include preventing brain trauma, managing stress, avoid alcohol abuse, manage stroke risk factors, good sleep habits, social integration, optimum nutrition and exercise routine.

Secondary Prevention

Effective measures for the secondary prevention of memory loss include, sustainable daily routine, healthy eating habits, social integration, exercise routine, reduce and manage stress, adequate sleep, reading and playing strategic games like puzzles and word games.

References


Template:WH Template:WS