Transient anosognosia for episodic hemiparesis: a singular manifestation of TIAs and epileptic seizures.
Anosognosia is a well-known manifestation of non-dominant parietal lobe lesions and typically lasts a few days. That anosognosia may last only a few minutes to a few hours, as observed in six patients, has not been reported. In five patients, transient anosognosia for equally brief left-sided hemiparesis was a manifestation of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). In the sixth patient, anosognosia for both a left-sided motor seizure and a subsequent brief left hemiparesis could best be explained by an epileptic ictal and post-ictal transient dysfunction of the non-dominant parietotemporal cortex. Prompt recognition of transient anosognosia, whether ischemic or epileptic, is mandatory for proper diagnosis and for rapid initiation of specific therapy.
Grand'Maison
F
F
Department of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire of Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.
Reiher
J
J
Lebel
M L
ML
Rivest
J
J
D000368:Aged; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006429:Hemiplegia / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged