differential diagnosis of TGA and TIA
Last reviewed 01/2018
The characteristics of transient global amnesia and transient ischaemic attacks are summarised:
- age of the patient:
- TIA is more likely at all ages but more so in the elderly
- neurological signs:
- TGA is an isolated memory disorder and there are no other neurological signs
- a TIA is associated with other neurological signs such as motor or sensory dysfunction
- degree of disorientation:
- in TGA the patient cannot acquire new memories but otherwise is able to function normally; personal identity is retained
- in TGA questions are asked repeatedly
- a TIA may be accompanied by more global disorientation and confusion
- time to recover:
- in TGA usually 1-2 hours (up to 12 hours)
- in TIA from a few minutes to 24 hours