Transient global amnesia as a paraneoplastic manifestation of small cell lung cancer.
2/5 보강
OpenAlex 토픽 ·
Autoimmune Neurological Disorders and Treatments
Brain Metastases and Treatment
Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
[OBJECTIVES] To describe an unusual presentation of paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis manifesting as transient global amnesia (TGA).
APA
Abdulrehman Bhatti, Hugo Morales Briceño, et al. (2026). Transient global amnesia as a paraneoplastic manifestation of small cell lung cancer.. Journal of neuroimmunology, 417, 578933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroim.2026.578933
MLA
Abdulrehman Bhatti, et al.. "Transient global amnesia as a paraneoplastic manifestation of small cell lung cancer.." Journal of neuroimmunology, vol. 417, 2026, pp. 578933.
PMID
41980526
Abstract 한글 요약
[OBJECTIVES] To describe an unusual presentation of paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis manifesting as transient global amnesia (TGA).
[METHODS] We report a clinical case of a 59-year-old woman presenting with recurrent episodes of acute anterograde and retrograde amnesia in the context of a new diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. Clinical assessment, neuroimaging, electroencephalography, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, autoimmune and paraneoplastic antibody testing, and oncological investigations were undertaken. Cognitive performance was serially assessed and neurological outcomes were followed longitudinally in parallel with cancer treatment.
[RESULTS] The patient fulfilled clinical criteria for TGA with apparent full recovery but rapidly re-presented with persistent and progressive memory impairment. Neuroimaging and EEG were unremarkable, while cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and positive anti-neuronal immunofluorescence without a defined antibody. Investigation revealed limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Following systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, the patient demonstrated marked and sustained cognitive improvement, with MMSE improving from 24/30 to 29/30, paralleling tumor response.
[DISCUSSION] This case supports recurrent TGA-like presentations as a rare manifestation of paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis. Rapid recurrence or incomplete recovery after TGA should prompt consideration of autoimmune and neoplastic causes. Improvement with cancer-directed and immunomodulatory therapy reinforces a paraneoplastic etiology and suggests immune checkpoint inhibitors may be used effectively in selected cases.
[METHODS] We report a clinical case of a 59-year-old woman presenting with recurrent episodes of acute anterograde and retrograde amnesia in the context of a new diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. Clinical assessment, neuroimaging, electroencephalography, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, autoimmune and paraneoplastic antibody testing, and oncological investigations were undertaken. Cognitive performance was serially assessed and neurological outcomes were followed longitudinally in parallel with cancer treatment.
[RESULTS] The patient fulfilled clinical criteria for TGA with apparent full recovery but rapidly re-presented with persistent and progressive memory impairment. Neuroimaging and EEG were unremarkable, while cerebrospinal fluid showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and positive anti-neuronal immunofluorescence without a defined antibody. Investigation revealed limited-stage small cell lung cancer. Following systemic chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy, the patient demonstrated marked and sustained cognitive improvement, with MMSE improving from 24/30 to 29/30, paralleling tumor response.
[DISCUSSION] This case supports recurrent TGA-like presentations as a rare manifestation of paraneoplastic autoimmune encephalitis. Rapid recurrence or incomplete recovery after TGA should prompt consideration of autoimmune and neoplastic causes. Improvement with cancer-directed and immunomodulatory therapy reinforces a paraneoplastic etiology and suggests immune checkpoint inhibitors may be used effectively in selected cases.