Transient epileptic amnesia: an emerging late-onset epileptic syndrome.
Transient epileptic amnesia (TEA) is a distinct neurologic condition occurring in late-middle/old age and presenting with amnesic attacks of epileptic nature and interictal memory disturbances. For many years this condition has been associated with the nonepileptic condition of transient global amnesia (TGA) and still today is poorly recognized by clinicians. Despite the clinical and laboratory findings that distinguish TEA from TGA, differential diagnosis may be difficult in the individual patient. Every effort must be employed for an early diagnosis, since antiepileptic treatment may readily control both ictal episodes and memory disturbances.
Bilo
Leonilda
L
Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurological Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. ledabilo@fastwebnet.it
Meo
Roberta
R
Ruosi
Patrizia
P
de Leva
Maria Fulvia
MF
Striano
Salvatore
S
D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D013577:Syndrome