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Transient global amnesia and neurological events: the Framingham Heart Study

Authors :
Jose Rafael Romero
Melissa eMercado
Alexa S Beiser
Aleksandra ePikula
Sudha eSeshadri
Margaret eKelly-Hayes
Philip A Wolf
Carlos S Kase
Source :
Frontiers in Neurology, Vol 4 (2013)
Publication Year :
2013
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2013.

Abstract

Background/ objective: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a temporary amnestic syndrome characterized by lack of other focal neurological deficits. Cerebrovascular disease, migraine and seizures have been suggested as underlying mechanisms. TGA may be a risk factor for cerebrovascular or other neurological events. We studied the relation of TGA, vascular risk factors, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indices of subclinical ischemia and neurological events in a community-based sample. Design/setting: A total of 12 TGA cases were ascertained using standard criteria by experienced neurologists, and matched to 41 stroke- and seizure-free controls. Vascular risk factors, brain MRI findings, and subsequent cerebrovascular or seizure events were compared in cases and controls. Participants: Framingham Heart Study (FHS) original and offspring cohort participants were included.Results: No significant differences between the groups were observed in the prevalence of vascular risk factors, or brain MRI measures. Few incident stroke/transient ischemic attacks (TIA) (1 event among the cases and 4 in controls) or subsequent seizures occurred in either group. Head CT during the acute event (n=11) and brain MRI (n=7) were negative for acute abnormalities. Electroencephalograms (EEG) (n=5) were negative for epileptiform activity. Extracranial vascular studies were negative for significant stenosis in all cases.Conclusions: In our community-based study TGA was not related to traditional vascular risk factors, or cerebrovascular disease. However, our study is limited by small sample size and power, and larger studies are required to exclude an association.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16642295
Volume :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Neurology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.4b72836bc3ba46c9a554a83e8a8e137a
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2013.00047