[Transient global amnesia following the use of ergots in the treatment of migraine].
BACKGROUND
Transient global amnesia (TGA) is defined as a selective, or almost selective, deficit of the memory that appears suddenly and lasts less than 24 hours. The aetiopathogenesis of this syndrome remains unknown and different theories have been put forward about its epileptic or ischemic origin, or the relationship that exists with the neuronal depression that is produced in migraine. A number of triggering factors have been described, including the taking of distinct pharmaceutical preparations.


METHODS
We report the cases of two patients with a history of migraines who suffered TGA after taking ergotamine and dihydroergotamine, respectively, to treat an attack of migraine.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the vasoconstriction effect of these drugs, it was concluded that in both cases the main factor that triggered the TGA was the ingestion of ergots.
Gil-Martínez
T
T
Unidad de Neurología, Hospital General de Requena, Requena, Valencia, Spain.
Galiano
R
R
D000368:Aged; D020236:Amnesia, Transient Global / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004087:Dihydroergotamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D004087:Dihydroergotamine; D004878:Ergotamine