Complex transient epileptic amnesia.
Transient epileptic amnesia is a rare but probably underrecognized form of temporal lobe epilepsy, which typically manifests as episodic isolated memory loss. Consequently, transient epileptic amnesia may be readily misdiagnosed as a nonepileptic memory dysfunction in older individuals. When appropriately recognized, it has been described as a treatment-responsive syndrome amenable to antiepileptic drugs. We describe a patient with drug-resistant transient epileptic amnesia treated with unilateral temporal lobectomy. Prolonged postictal slowing in the mesial temporal structures was evident on invasive electroencephalography 5 hours after the occurrence of a brief focal seizure. These findings support the theory of a Todd phenomenon as the underlying pathophysiological mechanism in transient epileptic amnesia.
Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
Ryan D
RD
Walsh
Robert E
RE
Wharen
William O
WO
Tatum
D000647:Amnesia / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000927:Anticonvulsants