Post-traumatic amnesia

Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) is a state of confusion that occurs immediately following a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in which the injured person is disoriented and unable to remember events that occur after the injury. The person may be unable to state their name, where they are, and what time it is. When continuous memory returns, PTA is considered to have resolved. While PTA lasts, new events cannot be stored in the memory.

Causes

PTA is caused by a traumatic brain injury, such as a blow to the head. The length of time that PTA lasts can be an indicator of the severity of the brain injury. The longer the duration of amnesia, the more severe the injury is likely to be.

Symptoms

The main symptom of PTA is memory loss. This can be loss of memory for events before the injury (retrograde amnesia), or events after the injury (anterograde amnesia). Other symptoms can include confusion, disorientation, and agitation.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of PTA is based on clinical assessment of the patient's ability to consistently form new memories. This is often done using the Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test (GOAT), which assesses orientation to person, place, and time, and the ability to remember events since the injury.

Treatment

Treatment for PTA involves supportive care and rehabilitation. This can include occupational therapy to help the person manage daily activities, and cognitive rehabilitation to improve memory and other cognitive functions.

Prognosis

The prognosis for PTA depends on the severity of the brain injury. Most people with mild to moderate injuries recover fully, but those with severe injuries may have long-term problems with memory and cognition.

See also

• Traumatic brain injury
• Amnesia
• Retrograde amnesia
• Anterograde amnesia

References

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