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Cognitive functions after transient topographical amnesia
Author(s) -
Stracciari A.,
Lorusso S.,
Ponti A. Delli,
Mattarozzi K.,
Tempestini A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2002.00426.x
Subject(s) - transient global amnesia , medicine , amnesia , transient (computer programming) , neuroscience , cognition , cognitive psychology , psychiatry , psychology , computer science , operating system
Twelve consecutive patients having previously experienced one or more episodes of isolated transient topographical amnesia (TTA) underwent neuropsychological examination 6–12 months after the last episode to detect signs of global cognitive decline and to assess, in particular, cognitive functions deemed critical for topographical orientation. The test scores were compared with those of 12 normal subjects matched for age, sex, educational level and place of residence. Both patients and controls showed normal performances in all tasks. The comparison between the two groups revealed a significantly lower performance of the patient group in a task of geographical orientation, namely `Map of Italy'. We conclude that isolated episodes of TTA in the elderly per se do not represent a sign of mental deterioration, but can be associated with frailty on survey components of spatial orientation. It remains to be explained whether this feature is a pre‐existing condition favouring the occurrence of the episodes of topographical amnesia or represents a sequela.