Memory Loss

Question 1

Refers to a wide range of alterations in thinking, mood and behavior resulting form neurologic damage related to brain trauma

Answer 1

Dementia due to TBI

Question 2

Pathophysiology:
- Deceleration/acceleration forces
- Diffuse injury to axons
- Cortical area contusions
- Hippocampus and frontal lobes especially susceptible
- Biochemical alterations

Answer 2

Memory loss

Question 3

Clinical Findings:
- Fatigue, headache, dizziness
- Post-Concussive Disorder
- Slowing of information processing
- Impaired attention
- Poor memory
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Loss of memory of the event
- Retrograde amnesia (loss of recall for events before)
- Anterograde amnesia (loss of recall after event)
- Repeated asking an answered question

Answer 3

Memory loss

Question 4

Workup for Memory Loss

Answer 4

• Neurological assessment
  Thorough history
  Mental status exam
  Neurological exam
• Military Acute Concussion Evaluation
• EEG

Question 5

Treatment of memory loss

Answer 5

• Determine deficit
• Give appropriate counseling
• Treat symptoms

Question 6

Prognosis of Memory Loss

Answer 6

Post-concussion syndrome symptoms greatest in first 7-10 days
Usually improved or resolved at one month