Transient Amnesia in a Patient With Left Temporal Tumor: Symptomatic Transient Global Amnesia or an Epileptic Amnesia?

Involvement of the default mode network in patients with transient global amnesia: multilayer network

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to investigate the alterations in the multilayer network in patients with transient global amnesia (TGA).

METHODS

We enrolled 124 patients with TGA and 80 healthy controls. Both patients with TGA and healthy controls underwent a three-teslar brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A gray matter layer matrix was created using a morphometric similarity network derived from the T1-weighted imaging, and a white matter layer matrix was constructed using structural connectivity based on the diffusion tensor imaging. A multilayer network analysis was performed by applying graph theoretical analysis.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences in global network measures between the groups. However, several regions, related to the default mode network, showed significant differences in nodal network measures between the groups. Multi-richness in the left pars opercularis, multi-rich-club degree in the right posterior cingulate gyrus, and weighted multiplex participation in the right posterior cingulate gyrus were higher in patients with TGA compared with healthy controls (15.47 vs. 12.26, p = 0.0005; 41.68 vs. 37.16, p = 0.0005; 0.90 vs. 0.80, p = 0.0005; respectively). The multiplex core-periphery in the left precuneus was higher (0.96 vs. 0.84, p = 0.0005), whereas that in the transverse temporal gyrus was lower in patients with TGA compared with healthy controls (0.00 vs. 0.02, p = 0.0005).

CONCLUSION

We newly find the alterations in the multilayer network in patients with TGA compared with healthy controls, which shows the involvement of the default mode network. These changes may be related to the pathophysiology of TGA.

Transient global amnesia and brain tumour: chance concurrence or aetiological association? Case report and systematic literature review

We report a patient presenting with episodes of transient amnesia, some with features suggestive of transient global amnesia (TGA), and some more reminiscent of transient epileptic amnesia. Investigation with neuroimaging revealed an intrinsic lesion in the right amygdala, with features suggestive of low-grade neoplasia. We undertook a systematic review of the literature on TGA and brain tumour. Fewer than 20 cases were identified, some of which did not conform to the clinical diagnostic criteria for TGA. Hence, the concurrence of brain tumour and TGA is very rare and of doubtful aetiological relevance. In some brain tumour-associated cases, epilepsy may be masquerading as TGA.

Transient global amnesia as a revealing sign of giant transtentorial meningioma: case report and review of the literature

Since 1974, only 14 papers in MEDLINE-indexed journals have linked transient global amnesia (TGA) to a brain tumor. Among these, two described the entity of transient epileptic amnesia (TEA), whereas most reports lacked the functional investigations that might differentiate the two conditions. Only six cases have linked TGA or TEA to a meningioma, and none of them were transtentorial. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with one episode of TGA as a sole symptom of a giant transtentorial meningioma in the right hemisphere. A sudden attack of TGA with a rather typical clinical presentation--anterograde amnesia with selective retrograde features that lasted for a few hours, with stereotypic questions, no associated symptoms or neurological impairment, and no recurrence--occurred while she was at home; this was witnessed by her husband. The neurological examination was unremarkable, with the exception of a slight left homonymous superior quadrantonopia. Brain imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) showed a huge meningioma originating from the right tentorium, extending from the cerebellar hemisphere to the midst of the temporal lobe. An electroencephalogram did not reveal temporal spikes. The tumor was completely excised, and she has remained asymptomatic for 6 months. Although TGA is generally a functional entity, without an organic substrate to prompt surgical sanction, a full investigation may be warranted to rule out the possibility of a silent intracranial tumor.