Amnesia and Amnesic Disorders Quiz
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Questions and Answers

Complete recovery from transient global amnesia is rare, and recurrence is common.

False (B)

Patients with transient global amnesia retain procedural memory during their episodes.

True (A)

Panic attacks and hyperventilation are classified under organic causes of neuropsychiatric symptoms.

False (B)

The neurological examination is entirely normal in patients experiencing transient amnesia.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Dissociative fugue is characterized by a loss of personal identity.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Transient ischaemic attacks are classified under functional causes of transient amnesia.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Amnesic disorders are characterized by a significant decline from prior levels of functioning and can include both anterograde and retrograde amnesia.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Korsakov syndrome is synonymous with amnesic disorder and is not a specific form of it.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The digit span is typically impaired in cases of amnesia, reflecting a deficit in short-term memory.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Emotional blunting and inertia are common observations in individuals suffering from amnesic disorders.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Alzheimer's disease is classified as an amnesic disorder in both ICD-10 and DSM-5.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Loss of autobiographical information can extend back many years for individuals suffering from amnesia.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Transient global amnesia is a persistent condition that results from a general medical condition significantly impacting memory.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

New learning is usually intact in patients with amnesic disorders, while retrograde memory tends to be grossly defective.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Confabulation is characterized by filling gaps in memory with true accounts.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Lesions in the medial thalamus can lead to amnesia.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The commonest cause of amnesic disorder is Wernicke's encephalopathy.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Korsakov syndrome can occasionally result from severe malnutrition.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the acute stage of Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome, the mortality rate is 84%.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Thiamine should be administered after glucose-containing solutions in patients with amnesic syndrome.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Amnesic syndrome typically indicates a reversible condition.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Most patients with Wernicke-Korsakov syndrome demonstrate an improvement in their condition.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The prognosis for amnesic syndrome caused by viral encephalitis is often positive.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Progressive amnesia suggests a slowly expanding structural lesion such as a midbrain tumor.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Amnesia

A type of memory loss that primarily affects episodic memory, resulting in a decline in a person's ability to function.

Amnesic Disorders

A disorder characterized by memory impairment, distinct from dementia and delirium.

Anterograde Amnesia

The inability to learn new information after the onset of amnesia.

Retrograde Amnesia

The inability to recall past events that occurred before the onset of amnesia.

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Episodic Memory Impairment

A key symptom of amnesic disorders, where there is a significant problem with remembering events or experiences.

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Disorientation

A state of confusion and disorientation often experienced by individuals with amnesia.

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Inability to Retain New Information

The inability to retain newly learned information, even for a short period.

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Transient Amnesia

A temporary form of amnesia that usually resolves on its own.

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Transient Global Amnesia

A sudden, temporary episode of global amnesia, usually lasting a few hours.

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Transient Epileptic Amnesia

Amnesia associated with seizures, often characterized by brief memory lapses.

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Amnesia from Head Injuries

Amnesia resulting from head injuries, ranging from mild to severe.

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Alcohol-Related Blackouts

Memory loss associated with heavy alcohol consumption, resulting in gaps in memory.

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Korsakoff Syndrome

A serious medical condition often caused by thiamine deficiency.

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Herpes Encephalitis

A neurological condition characterized by inflammation of the brain, often caused by the herpes simplex virus.

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Amnestic Syndrome

A type of amnesia caused by a lack of thiamine, often associated with alcohol abuse.

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Syncope

A sudden loss of awareness and consciousness often associated with medical conditions.

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Transient Ischemic Attacks

Brief episodes of neurological dysfunction, often caused by temporary blood flow blockage in the brain.

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Migraines

Severe headaches accompanied by neurological symptoms, including memory loss.

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Seizures

Abnormal brain activity characterized by seizures that can cause memory disturbances.

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Hypoglycemia

A condition characterized by low blood sugar levels, which can cause confusion and memory problems.

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Panic Attacks

A sudden, intense feeling of fear or anxiety, often accompanied by physical symptoms like chest pain and dizziness.

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Dissociative Disorders

Mental health disorders characterized by disruptions in memory, consciousness, and identity.

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Schizophrenia

A mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking, potentially causing memory problems.

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Personality Disorders

A group of personality disorders characterized by impulsive behavior, aggression, and instability in relationships.

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Psychogenic Fugue

A state of memory loss accompanied by wandering or traveling and a lack of awareness.

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Study Notes

Amnesia and Amnesic Disorders

  • Amnesia denotes memory loss, specifically affecting episodic memory, leading to a decline in functioning levels.
  • Diagnosed as amnesic disorders under ICD-10, distinct from dementia and delirium, while DSM-5 includes them under major neurocognitive disorder.
  • Two primary types of amnesia:
    • Anterograde Amnesia: Inability to learn new information.
    • Retrograde Amnesia: Inability to recall past events.
  • Significant impairment in social or occupational functioning is a diagnostic criterion, alongside medical conditions related to memory impairment.

Clinical Features

  • Profound deficit in episodic memory is the cardinal symptom.
  • Patients may experience disorientation, memory loss, and inability to retain new information.
  • Events may be remembered briefly only to be forgotten shortly afterward.
  • Short-term memory (e.g., digit span) usually remains intact.
  • Some emotional blunting and inertia may be noted, while other cognitive functions can be preserved.

Causes of Amnesia

Transient Causes

  • Transient global amnesia
  • Transient epileptic amnesia
  • Head injuries
  • Alcohol-related blackouts
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Psychogenic fugue and amnesia linked to criminal offenses

Persistent Causes (Amnestic Syndrome)

  • Korsakoff syndrome (often associated with alcohol use)
  • Herpes encephalitis
  • Strokes affecting the posterior cerebral artery and thalamus

Differential Diagnosis

  • Organic Causes: Syncope, transient ischemic attacks, migraines, seizures, hypoglycemia.
  • Functional Causes: Panic attacks, dissociative disorders, schizophrenia, aggressive outbursts in personality disorders.

Characteristics of Transient Global Amnesia

  • Patients often appear bewildered and require frequent reorientation.
  • Alertness remains intact; personal identity is preserved.
  • Procedural memory is unaffected, allowing competent actions like driving.
  • Neurological examination typically shows normal results.
  • Episodes usually resolve fully, with low recurrence rates. Investigation is crucial to exclude other causes.

Korsakoff Syndrome

  • First described by neuropsychiatrist Sergei Korsakoff in 1889; often follows Wernicke's encephalopathy.
  • Commonly caused by thiamine deficiency due to alcohol abuse; can also stem from severe malnutrition or medical conditions.
  • Neuropathology shows neuronal loss, gliosis, and microhemorrhages in key brain regions.

Investigation and Management

  • Quick recognition of amnesic syndrome is vital; it can be reversible.
  • Investigations may reveal reduced transketolase levels and changes in MRI scans.
  • Immediate thiamine administration is crucial, alongside rehydration and nutritional support.
  • Coordination with physicians and neurologists is important for effective management.

Course and Prognosis

  • High mortality (17%) during the acute stage of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
  • Recovery rates:
    • 50% show no improvement,
    • 25% achieve complete recovery,
    • Remaining have partial recovery.
  • Favorable prognosis associated with shorter history and prompt thiamine treatment; poor prognosis in cases from viral encephalitis and other irreversible brain damage.

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Description

Test your knowledge on amnesia and amnesic disorders, including their definition and classification. This quiz will cover the criteria used to distinguish these disorders from others like dementia and delirium. Explore the nuances of memory loss and its impact on functioning.

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