A longitudinal study of transient epileptic amnesia.
OBJECTIVE
To study the underlying pathophysiology and the long-term prognosis of the syndrome of transient epileptic amnesia (STEA).


BACKGROUND
STEA has been recently described as a distinct nosologic entity, in which memory impairment is the sole clinical manifestation of temporal lobe epilepsy.


METHODS
Serial neuropsychologic examinations and electroencephalography (EEG) were performed on a patient with STEA, before and after treatment with antiepileptic drug for a 2-year study period.


RESULTS
Initial neuropsychologic assessment revealed isolated mild-to-moderate impairment in anterograde verbal and visual memory. EEG showed intermittent sharp and spike discharges from both temporal regions, independently, consistent with an underlying seizure tendency. Treatment with extended-release carbamazepine 200 mg twice daily led to complete resolution of the memory difficulty, and the repeat neuropsychologic assessment and EEG were within normal limits. Two years after the treatment was initiated, the patient remained asymptomatic and a third neuropsychologic assessment was completely normal.


CONCLUSIONS
The memory impairment in STEA does not originate from a progressive neurodegenerative mechanism, but rather from an underlying epileptic and therefore reversible etiology. When identified and treated, STEA carries no memory impairment at 2 years after diagnosis.
Razavi
Mehrdad
M
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. Mehrdadrazavi@hotmail.com
Barrash
Joseph
J
Paradiso
Sergio
S
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000368:Aged; D000647:Amnesia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D013577:Syndrome
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D002220:Carbamazepine