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Transient global amneisa epidemiology and demographics

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hasnain Ali Moryani, MBBS.

Overview

Overview

  • Each year, approximately 3 to 8 persons per 100,000 population experience an episode of transient global amnesia[1].
  • The condition occurs more frequently in persons older than 50 years of age[1].
Epidemiology of Transient Global Amnesia

Epidemiology of Transient Global Amnesia

  • In a retrospective series of 277 cases, the mean age was 62 years[2].
  • Sex distribution has varied across studies:
    • Some series report slightly more men than women[2][3],
    • Other series show the opposite pattern[2][3].
  • In most series, about 15% of patients have had more than one episode[2].
  • Among those with recurrent episodes, the average interval between episodes was approximately 2 years, and almost two thirds had three or more definite or probable episodes[2].
  • Estimates of recurrence frequency and intervals vary among studies[2][4].
  • Data from a retrospective series of 1044 patients suggested that younger age at first episode and a personal or family history of migraine were associated with future episodes, although these findings have not been consistently affirmed[4].
  • Cardiovascular risk factors have been overrepresented in some series but are considered commensurate with the typical age range of affected patients[5].
  • A higher risk of transient global amnesia has been reported among patients with migraine compared with those without migraine[6].
  • Rare reports of transient global amnesia in adolescents have been linked to athletic activity and a history of migraine[7].
References

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Ropper AH (February 2023). “Transient Global Amnesia”. N Engl J Med. 388 (7): 635–640. doi:10.1056/NEJMra2213867. PMID 36791163 Check |pmid= value (help).
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Miller JW, Petersen RC, Metter EJ, Millikan CH, Yanagihara T (May 1987). “Transient global amnesia: clinical characteristics and prognosis”. Neurology. 37 (5): 733–7. doi:10.1212/wnl.37.5.733. PMID 3574671.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Rollinson RD (October 1978). “Transient global amnesia–a review of 213 cases from the literature”. Aust N Z J Med. 8 (5): 547–9. doi:10.1111/j.1445-5994.1978.tb02598.x. PMID 369512.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Morris KA, Rabinstein AA, Young NP (December 2020). “Factors Associated With Risk of Recurrent Transient Global Amnesia”. JAMA Neurol. 77 (12): 1551–1558. doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2020.2943. PMC 7489420 Check |pmc= value (help). PMID 32865551 Check |pmid= value (help).
  5. Zorzon M, Antonutti L, Masè G, Biasutti E, Vitrani B, Cazzato G (September 1995). “Transient global amnesia and transient ischemic attack. Natural history, vascular risk factors, and associated conditions”. Stroke. 26 (9): 1536–42. doi:10.1161/01.str.26.9.1536. PMID 7660394.
  6. Liampas I, Siouras AS, Siokas V, Tsouris Z, Rikos D, Brotis A, Aloizou AM, Dastamani M, Dardiotis E (January 2022). “Migraine in transient global amnesia: a meta-analysis of observational studies”. J Neurol. 269 (1): 184–196. doi:10.1007/s00415-020-10363-y. PMID 33388926 Check |pmid= value (help).
  7. Tosi L, Righetti CA (February 1997). “Transient global amnesia and migraine in young people”. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 99 (1): 63–5. doi:10.1016/s0303-8467(96)00595-1. PMID 9107472.

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