All About Transient Global Amnesia

3. Diagnosis

The defining characteristic of transient global amnesia is the sudden onset of the inability to form new memories or recall short term memories. For an official diagnosis of TGA, a witness must verify this sudden onset. The affected individual must retain their identity and be able to follow simple directions and recognize familiar objects. Finally, there cannot be any signs of impairment or damage to the brain, such as involuntary movements, facial drooping, or limb paralysis, which are more likely to indicate a stroke.