
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Amnesia natural history, complications and prognosis
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Amnesia may progress slowly or suddenly, and maybe transient or permanent. The natural history and prognosis depends upon the underlying etiology. Patients with memory loss could suffer from depression and grief long term. Quality of life and activities of daily living are difficult to maintain which causes decreased socialization and a decline in cognitive functions in the elderly.
Natural History
Natural History
- Amnesia may progress slowly or suddenly, and maybe transient or permanent. The natural history and prognosis depends upon the underlying cause.
- Without treatment Korsakoff’s syndrome can cause mental disability with permanent memory loss, apathy, confabulation.[1]
Complications
Complications
- Patients with memory loss could suffer from depression and grief long term.[2]
- Quality of life and activities of daily living are difficult to maintain which causes decreased socialization and a decline in cognitive functions in the elderly.[3]
- Repeated episodes of transient global amnesia can result in long lasting loss of memory.[4]
Prognosis
Prognosis
- In patients with post traumatic amnesia, the extent of injury and duration of loss of consciousness are important prognostic factors in determining the severity of amnesia. [5]
- Dissociative fugue could last from days to months and once recovery occurs it is rapid and complete. Some refractory cases have been observed but usually it is just one episode.[2]
- If Korsakoff’s syndrome is detected early and treatment optimally it can be reversed to some extent and can prevent further brain and nerve damage.[1]
References
References
- β 1.0 1.1 Arts NJ, Walvoort SJ, Kessels RP (2017) Korsakoff’s syndrome: a critical review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 13 ():2875-2890. DOI:10.2147/NDT.S130078 PMID: 29225466
- β 2.0 2.1 Mamarde A, Navkhare P, Singam A, Kanoje A (2013). “Recurrent dissociative fugue”. Indian J Psychol Med. 35 (4): 400β1. doi:10.4103/0253-7176.122239. PMCΒ 3868095. PMIDΒ 24379504.
- β Ertel KA, Glymour MM, Berkman LF (2008). “Effects of social integration on preserving memory function in a nationally representative US elderly population”. Am J Public Health. 98 (7): 1215β20. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2007.113654. PMCΒ 2424091. PMIDΒ 18511736.
- β Profice P, Rizzello V, PennestrΓ¬ F, Pilato F, Della Marca G, Sestito A; et al. (2008). “Transient global amnesia during transoesophageal echocardiogram”. Neurol Sci. 29 (6): 477β9. doi:10.1007/s10072-008-1034-y. PMIDΒ 19031042.
- β Leclerc S, Lassonde M, Delaney JS, Lacroix VJ, Johnston KM (2001). “Recommendations for grading of concussion in athletes”. Sports Med. 31 (8): 629β36. doi:10.2165/00007256-200131080-00007. PMIDΒ 11475324.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Zehra Malik, M.B.B.S[2]
