A 62-year-old man suddenly asks his wife the same question every few minutes, having no recall of the preceding hours. He remains able to recognize family members and perform routine tasks. Symptoms resolve completely within eight hours. MRI brain and vascular imaging are normal. Which condition best explains this episode?

• A Complex partial status epilepticus
• B Dissociative amnesia
• C Transient global amnesia ✓
• D Transient ischaemic attack of the thalamus

Explanation

Transient global amnesia is characterized by abrupt anterograde amnesia with repetitive questioning, preserved personal identity and procedural skills, complete resolution within 24 hours, and a benign course typically in middle-aged or elderly patients. Dissociative amnesia lasts longer than 24 hours and follows identifiable psychosocial stress, personal identity is often lost, and recovery may be partial. The short self-limited course with intact identity favours transient global amnesia.

Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.