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Transient global amnesia in legal proceedings

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a neurological disorder characterized by an acute onset of severe anterograde amnesia. While retrograde amnesia may be present - although to a lesser extent - patients have no further cognitive disturbances or neurological signs. These symptoms resolve fully within...

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Main Authors: Griebe, Martin (Author) , Bäzner, Hansjörg (Author) , Kablau, Micha (Author) , Hennerici, Michael G. (Author) , Szabo, Kristina (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 2015
In: International journal of legal medicine
Year: 2015, Volume: 129, Issue: 1, Pages: 223-226
ISSN:1437-1596
DOI:10.1007/s00414-014-1038-5
Online Access:Verlag, Volltext: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00414-014-1038-5
Verlag, Volltext: https://link-springer-com.ezproxy.medma.uni-heidelberg.de/article/10.1007/s00414-014-1038-5
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Author Notes:Martin Griebe, Hansjörg Bäzner, Micha Kablau, Michael G. Hennerici, Kristina Szabo
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Summary:Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a neurological disorder characterized by an acute onset of severe anterograde amnesia. While retrograde amnesia may be present - although to a lesser extent - patients have no further cognitive disturbances or neurological signs. These symptoms resolve fully within several hours leaving a permanent memory gap for the duration of the episode and do not lead to long-term neurological deficits. In addition to well-defined clinical diagnostic criteria, in up to 80 % of patients, small, point-shaped lesions in the hippocampus are detected 24-48 h after symptom onset on diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images. Despite several etiological hypotheses, to date, there is no scientific proof for the etiology of TGA or the small hippocampal lesions. Interestingly, in a large number of cases, an emotionally or physically straining event precipitates the onset of TGA, suggesting a stress-related mechanism. We report two cases of TGA occurring in legally relevant settings: affecting the victim of brutal burglary and the key witness in a murder trial. In the context of forensic medicine, the knowledge of this disorder and recognition of its typical features are essential.
Item Description:Published online: 25 June 2014
Gesehen am 06.07.2017
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1437-1596
DOI:10.1007/s00414-014-1038-5

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