Cerebral Disorders

Question 1

What do “ictal” and “interictal” refer to?

Answer 1

Seizures, and the time between seizures, respectively.

Question 2

How long does Transient Epileptic Amnesia (TEA) typically occur, and what specifically happens to your memory?

(Four things)

Answer 2

TEA typically follows a brief (<30min) seizure.

During the seizure, the person is disorientated

Cannot remember the seizure period (some have vague memory of not being able to remember - 40%)

Persistent forgetfulness over days or weeks.

Question 3

Is Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) caused by functional or structural changes?

Answer 3

Trick question - it is caused by structural changes, but they are temporary… and they cause a transient functional change.

“Reversible lesions

Question 4

What type of memory does Transient Global Amnesia (TGA) tend to affect?

Answer 4

Episodic memory is most affected.

Semantic memory fares better.

Question 5

What type of thing typically precipitates TGA?

Name 3 examples.

Answer 5

Emotional stressors

Examples include:
1. News of illness in family
2. Witnessing serious road accident
3. House fire
4. Funeral
5. Giving evidence at a medical tribunal

Question 6

What are the three types of irreversible cerebral disorders that we studied?

D - T - P

Answer 6

1. Developmental
2. Traumatic
3. Progressive