Abstract
Four cases of transient global amnesia, one of which was observed in hospital during the attack, are reported. The syndrome is characterized by a single episode of sudden isolated short-term memory defect in elderly people with no other neurological impairment. The episode usually lasts a few hrs., after which complete recovery of short-term memory follows. The only residue is a permanent amnesia corresponding to the duration of the attack plus a brief interval of retrograse amensia. Possible etiological factors are discussed with emphasis laid on transient cerebral ischemia, and a short survey of the theories on memory mechanisms is given.

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