Diagnostic Criteria and Neuroimaging in Transient Global Amnesia

Diagnostic Considerations

• The American Heart Association recommends that the diagnosis of Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) is based on clinical criteria, including the absence of signs or neurological deficits, no history of recent head trauma, and resolution of the episode within 24 hours 1
• The American Stroke Association suggests that TGA should be differentiated from other causes of acute amnesia, such as stroke, epilepsy, or head trauma, and that neuroimaging may be useful in cases with atypical presentations or suspected other neurological pathology 2

Neuroimaging Recommendations

• The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association do not recommend routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with typical TGA without focal neurological signs 2, 3, 4
• The American College of Radiology recommends considering neuroimaging in patients with TGA who have focal neurological symptoms, recurrent or brief episodes, or suspected other etiologies, such as stroke or seizures 1, 5
• The American College of Radiology also suggests that neuroimaging may be considered in patients with significant risk factors for cerebrovascular disease 5