Internal Jugular Vein Valve Incompetence Is Highly Prevalent in Transient Global Amnesia

Abstract

Background and Purpose-Transient global amnesia (TGA) is the inability to retain new information and to recall past events during a period of minutes or hours. Its etiology is unclear, and flow disturbances in the mesial temporal lobes secondary to venous congestion have been proposed as a potential cause.

Transient global amnesia associated with bilateral restricted diffusion in the lateral hippocampus

“…The onset of transient global amnesia has been associated with activities that involve a Valsalva manoeuvre or exposure to cold water, which increase venous blood pressure. The striking symmetry of the lesions found in this patient is consistent with a haemodynamic aetiology, resulting in transiently increased venous pressure,2 3 as one might reasonably expect during a swim in the English Channel.…”

No Signs of Intracranial Arterial Vasoconstriction in Transient Global Amnesia

“…18 Indeed, an increased prevalence of internal jugular valve insufficiency (IJVI) has been found in TGA. [10][11][12][13][14][15]28 However, recent data have shown that cerebral venous congestion does not seem to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of TGA. 29 The present study challenges also the role of intracranial vasoconstriction, which can be detected by ultrasound through direct and indirect signs: vertebral R.I. values and vertebro-basilar P.I.…”

Transient Global Amnesia

“…Several studies have shown that patients with TGA have IJVFR or IJVVI more frequently than control subjects, and this finding is even more prevalent in patients with TGA starting after a Valsalva maneuver. [38][39][40][41][42][43] Patients with TGA also have retrograde venous flow more commonly than patients with TIA. 39 Yet, there are some unresolved questions regarding this hypothesis.…”