Differential diagnosis of TGA and TIA

The characteristics of transient global amnesia and transient ischaemic attacks are summarised:

• age of the patient:
  • TIA is more likely at all ages but more so in the elderly
    
    
• neurological signs:
  • TGA is an isolated memory disorder and there are no other neurological signs
  • a TIA is associated with other neurological signs such as motor or sensory dysfunction
    
    
• degree of disorientation:
  • in TGA the patient cannot acquire new memories but otherwise is able to function normally; personal identity is retained
  • in TGA questions are asked repeatedly
  • a TIA may be accompanied by more global disorientation and confusion
    
    
• time to recover:
  • in TGA usually 1-2 hours (up to 12 hours)
  • in TIA from a few minutes to 24 hours