title: [Transient unresponsiveness of the elderly].
abstract: An 81-year-old woman was admitted for recurrent attacks of transient unresponsiveness. There was no evidence for electrolyte or metabolic disorders, arrhythmia or atypical seizures. We found reports of 5 such patients who suffered from transient unresponsiveness with no specific cause found despite thorough investigation. Suggested causes have been diffuse ischemia or a sleeping disorder. We think these attacks may occur as a result of discontinuity between the reticular formation and the cortex. One thing these patient have in common is a history of recurrent transient ischemic attacks.
authors.affiliation: Geriatric Dept., Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Semu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Levenkron
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001143:Arousal / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology