Amnesia is the loss of memories, including important facts and experiences. Causes of amnesia include seizures, severe head injury, emotional shock, and certain drugs.

Amnesia

A. JABBAR DENTAL CLINIC

Sadia Khan

Overview

Amnesia occurs when a person loses the ability to recall information stored in their memory. Despite being a common premise for films and fiction, it is a fairly unusual ailment.

Amnesia is a temporary or permanent loss of memory that can develop for a variety of reasons. Amnesia is classified into several types, each with its unique clinical signs. When a person gets amnesia, they frequently lose memories of significant milestones, major events or persons in their lives, and vital things they have acquired. 
Most people who have amnesia are cognizant and have a sense of who they are. In certain situations, they can have entire memories up to a particular point but have trouble recalling events after that. People can lose track of events that occurred in the past after a particular point in time. Memory loss tends to be patchier, with a person losing memories of particular incidents. 
&nbsp;

A person who is occasionally forgetful does not have amnesia. Instead, amnesia refers to a broad loss of long-term memory caused by sickness, brain damage, or psychological stress. Amnesic patients perform normally on immediate memory and working memory tasks.

Psychological stress or trauma is known to cause dissociative amnesic illnesses in people from different cultural backgrounds. Stressful situations may occur in immigrant communities in the pre-, during-, or after-migration phases. 
&nbsp;

There are various varieties of amnesia: 
&nbsp;

<h5>1. Retrograde Amnesia</h5>

When you have retrograde amnesia, you are unable to recall memories of events that occurred before the incident responsible for your amnesia. Typically, recent memories are affected more than older ones, such as those from your childhood.&zwnj; 
&nbsp;

<h5>&nbsp;2. Anterograde Amnesia</h5>

In anterograde amnesia, you are unable to recall new information since your amnesia. You can remember things that happened before the event, but can&rsquo;t form new memories. This occurs more frequently than retrograde amnesia.

In most patients, anterograde amnesia is associated with some degree of retrograde loss. Although, its extent is more variable. The reverse, however, is not necessarily the case, as some patients have been described who demonstrate relatively focal retrograde amnesia in the absence of anterograde memory loss<a href="#accordion">[4]</a>.

Trauma to the brain, especially the hippocampus can typically result in this form of amnesia. In some cases, blackouts due to excessive alcohol consumption can cause temporary anterograde amnesia. 
&nbsp;

<h5>3. Transient Global Amnesia (TGA)</h5>

This is a temporary form of amnesia and typically goes away in a day or two. It happens more frequently in older and middle-aged adults. Once this kind of amnesia clears up, it seldom happens again.

You may keep asking the same query and be unable to recall the previous few hours. Over the next 24 hours, your memory will gradually start to return. What triggers this particular amnesia remains unknown. However, researchers predict temporary blood vessel blockage in the brain or seizure-like activity might be to blame. 
&nbsp;

<h5>4. Post-Traumatic Amnesia</h5>

As the name implies, this particular amnesia occurs after an injury to the head. It can manifest as either anterograde or retrograde amnesia, or both.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

<h5>5. Infantile Amnesia</h5>

Also known as childhood amnesia, refers to the inability of adults to recall early childhood memories. Research suggests that&nbsp; infantile amnesia in adults could be due to the underdevelopment of their brain during infancy, hence unable to retain memories. &zwnj; 
&nbsp;

<h5>6. Dissociative Amnesia</h5>

This manifests as forgetting particular past events or periods and is brought on by stress or trauma. Sometimes it can even entail losing a majority of one&#39;s identity and past. Rarely, you can lose all or most of your personal information and depart from your house or assume a different identity. It is referred to as dissociative fugue. 
&nbsp;

<h5>7. Drug-Induced Amnesia</h5>

Drug-induced amnesia is a loss or impairment of memory brought on by the use of certain drugs. Anterograde memory loss caused by drugs often starts soon after the substance is introduced and lasts for a period during which the user cannot form new memories. Effects of memory loss are often temporary and only short-term memory is affected.

Several medications have been known to result in amnesia, including: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Benzodiazepines - alprazolam (Xanax) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium)</li>
	<li>Sedatives - zopiclone (Imovane) and zolpidem (Ambien)</li>
	<li>Medication used for general anaesthesia - phenobarbital and pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal Sodium).</li>
	<li>Ketamine and flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Amnesia caused by drugs is usually transitory. It&#39;s especially noticeable in older adults who may be taking multiple medications. 
&nbsp;

Signs and Symptoms

Amnesia has two primary characteristics: 
&nbsp;

<ol>
	<li>Difficulty learning new information</li>
	<li>Trouble recalling past events and familiar facts</li>
</ol>

Most persons with amnesia have short-term memory issues, where they can&#39;t remember new information. Their recent memories are more likely lost. While more distant or firmly embedded memories may be preserved. For example, one may retain childhood memories or know the names of previous presidents, but they will be unable to name the current president, know what month it is, or recall what they had for breakfast.

A person&#39;s IQ, general knowledge, alertness, attention span, judgment, personality, or sense of self are unaffected by isolated memory loss. Amnesics can typically understand spoken and written words, as well as master new skills like playing the piano or riding a bike. They are usually aware of their memory problem(s). 
&nbsp;

<h5>Additional Signs And Symptoms</h5>

Other indications and symptoms, depending on the source of the amnesia, may include:

<ul>
	<li>False memories (confabulation), which might be wholly fabricated or built out of genuine memories that have been misplaced in time.</li>
	<li>Disorientation or confusion. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Amnesia Vs Dementia</h5>

Amnesia and dementia are not the same. Dementia frequently includes memory loss but&nbsp; also includes other serious cognitive issues that impair daily functioning. Examples of cognitive issues include problems with visual intelligence, language, and reasoning. Although the loss of memory can also occur in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), it also involves further more serious memory and cognitive issues. 
&nbsp;

Causes

Amnesia causes are classified into two types: neurological and functional. Here are some of the most typical causes: 
&nbsp;

<h5>Brain Injuries</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Trauma from a car accident, sports, a ladder fall, a sharp object (such as a bullet), and so forth. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Brain Diseases</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Dementias such as <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/alzheimers-disease">Alzheimer&#39;s disease</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/stroke">Stroke</a></li>
	<li>Seizure</li>
	<li>Brain tumour 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>&nbsp;Brain Infections</h5>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/encephalitis">Encephalitis</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/lyme-disease">Lyme disease</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/syphillis">Syphilis</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/hiv-61">HIV</a>/<a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/aids">AIDS</a> 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>&nbsp;Other</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Anoxia (lack of oxygen)</li>
	<li>Heart attack</li>
	<li>Thyroid problems</li>
	<li>Alcoholism and drug abuse</li>
	<li>Deficiency in vitamin B1 (thiamine) or B12 (cyanocobalamin)</li>
	<li>Radiation</li>
	<li>High corticosteroid levels 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Functional/Psychogenic/Dissociative Amnesia</h5>

Neurological amnesia is more common than functional amnesia - a psychiatric illness. It appears to be brought on by an emotional trauma without any known brain injury or disease. Typically, this is retrograde amnesia (inability to remember past information). However, the amnesia can get severe enough that the person loses track of who they are. 
&nbsp;

<h5>&nbsp;Other Causes</h5>

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp; Nutrient Deficiencies</li>
</ul>

A nutritional deficit can also induce memory loss. For example, thiamine insufficiency in Korsakoff&#39;s syndrome can lead to memory loss 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>&nbsp; Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)</li>
</ul>

Electroconvulsive therapy involves the administration of small electrical currents to the person&rsquo;s brain via electrodes. It is typically conducted under anesthesia. Anterograde and retrograde amnesia are common side effects of ECT.

Selective amnesia, which is employed for therapeutic purposes in psychiatry, is an example of amnesia generated by ECT. 
&nbsp;

Diagnosis

A thorough physical examination helps rule out potential causes of memory loss, such as Alzheimer&#39;s disease, other forms of dementia, depression, or a brain tumour, before making the diagnosis of amnesia. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Medical History</h5>

The examination begins with a thorough medical history. However, since the patient may be unable to provide complete information, the interview is usually conducted with a family member, friend, or another caregiver.

To comprehend memory loss, the doctor will ask numerous questions. Among the issues that can be addressed are: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Whether the patient has issues with remembering recent or past events</li>
	<li>When the memory issues first appeared and how they developed</li>
	<li>Factors that precipitated the condition, such as a brain injury, stroke, or surgery</li>
	<li>A family history of the disease, particularly neurological disease</li>
	<li>Use of drugs and alcohol</li>
	<li>Presence of other symptoms like mental disorientation, speech issues, personality changes, or a reduced capacity for self-care</li>
	<li>Previous history of depression, cancer, migraines, or seizures 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>Physical Exam</h5>

The physical exam typically includes a neurological exam to examine reflexes, sensory function, balance, and other physiological components of the brain and nervous system. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Cognitive Tests</h5>

The doctor evaluates the patient&#39;s reasoning, decision-making, and short- and long-term memory. The patient&#39;s familiarity with both personal information and historical events, as well as general information (such as the name of the current president) will be noted. The patient can also be asked to repeat a list of words. These memory assessments not only help establish the degree of memory loss but also the type of treatment the person needs. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Diagnostic Tests</h5>

The doctor may issue the following tests:

<ul>
	<li>Imaging procedures, such as an MRI and CT scan, are used to look for brain injury or abnormalities.</li>
	<li>Blood testing to rule out infection, nutritional deficits, and other problems.</li>
	<li>An electroencephalogram to test for any seizure-like activity. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Treatment

Amnesia treatment focuses on approaches and strategies to assist and compensate for memory loss, as well as addressing any underlying disorders that are producing the amnesia. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Occupational Therapy</h5>

An occupational therapist can help a person with amnesia learn new information to replace what was lost or to use their intact memories as a foundation for learning new information.

Memory exercises may also involve various methods for categorizing information to make it simpler to remember, and for enhancing comprehension of lengthy conversations. 
&nbsp;

<h5>Technological Assistance</h5>

Many people with amnesia find it beneficial to use smart technology, such as a smartphone or a handheld tablet device. Even persons with profound amnesia can benefit from these electronic organizers with some training and practice. Smartphones, for example, can be configured to remind them of key events or to take medications. However, low-tech memory aids such as notebooks, wall calendars, pill trackers, and images of people and locations can also prove beneficial. 
&nbsp;

<h5>A Medications&nbsp;Or Supplements</h5>

Currently, there are no treatments available to cure amnesia and restore lost memory. However, treating underlying causes is a possibility.

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome causes amnesia due to thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. Treatment includes vitamin replacement and sufficient nourishment. Although treatment can help prevent further deterioration, most patients will not restore all of their lost memory.

One day, research could result in memory disorders remedies. But it&#39;s unlikely that a single medicine will be able to treat memory issues due to the intricacy of the associated brain systems. 
&nbsp;

Even minor amnesia can have a negative impact on a person&#39;s quality of life. Due to the difficulties in recalling old memories and making new ones, it could be difficult to carry out routine tasks and interact with others.

Sometimes it&#39;s impossible to restore forgotten memories. Severe amnesia patients need 24-hour supervision. 
&nbsp;

If you have gone through any of the following, you may be more susceptible to amnesia: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>A previous history of migraines</li>
	<li>High blood pressure or high cholesterol, both of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease</li>
	<li>Brain injury or surgery</li>
	<li>Stroke</li>
	<li>Stress 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Your risk of blackouts, head traumas, dementia, stroke, and other possible causes of memory loss can be reduced by adopting these healthy habits: 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Quit alcohol and stop using drugs</li>
	<li>When participating in sports that place you at high risk of concussion, use protective headgear</li>
	<li>When driving a car, use a seatbelt</li>
	<li>Treat infections as soon as possible to prevent any spread to the brain</li>
	<li>If you&#39;re older, have your eyes tested once a year and talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any medications you&#39;re taking that may cause dizziness. This can aid in the prevention of falls</li>
	<li>Keep your mind engaged throughout your life. For instance, enroll in classes, travel, read, and play games that need mental acuity</li>
	<li>Maintain a healthy lifestyle by staying active</li>
	<li>Consume a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins to maintain a healthy heart. This not only supplies nutrients to support your brain health but also aids in preventing strokes and other cardiovascular issues that may result in amnesia</li>
	<li>Hydrate yourself. According to research, even slight dehydration might harm how the brain functions, particularly in women. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) Related Acute Stroke Causing Transient Global Amnesia<a href="#accordion">[5]</a>&nbsp;Although COVID-19 was once considered to be a purely respiratory illness, with time it has become evident that the coronavirus can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Throughout the pandemic, researchers have reported several neurological symptoms among COVID patients. These include stroke, encephalitis, headache, dizziness, loss of smell and taste, seizures, refractory status epilepticus, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), Kawasaki syndrome, Guillain-Barr&eacute; syndrome, myopathy, as well as critical illness neuromyopathy. Moreover, there has also been an increased incidence of transient global amnesia (TGA) since the pandemic. 
&nbsp;

A team of German researchers noted an increase in TGA cases in the country during the pandemic. However, none of the patients exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms. While the virus has not been blamed for the high incidence, it is hypothesized that the increased emotional stress during the pandemic may have acted as a trigger. Another theory states that TGA was triggered by thrombotic vascular events produced by COVID-19 in the medial temporal areas.

The ever-expanding list of diverse neurological symptoms of COVID-19 must now include TGA. However, more reporting is required to understand the pathophysiology and typical neuroimaging findings in such patients. 
&nbsp;

Key Points

<ul>
	<li>Memory loss is generally referred to as amnesia.</li>
	<li>Common amnesia symptoms include memory loss, confusion, and an inability to recognize familiar people or settings</li>
	<li>Concussion, serious illness, high temperature, mental stress, certain medications, and electroconvulsive therapy are a few of the factors that might produce temporary amnesia. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

[1] Noiriel G. Immigration: amnesia and memory. Fr Hist Stud. 1995;19(2):367–80.

[2] McKee RD, Squire LR. Equivalent forgetting rates in long-term memory for die

[3] Staniloiu A, Markowitsch HJ. High prevalence of dissociative amnesia and relat

[4] Kopelman MD, Kapur N. The loss of episodic memories in retrograde amnesia: single--case and group studies. Philos Trans R Soc London Ser B Biol Sci. 2001;356(1413):1409–21.

Amnesia

Medically reviewed by

Sadia Khan

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Amnesia

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Sadia Khan

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