Sudden Loss of Memory in 49 Year Old

[AuntNanc]

A few days ago an acquaintance, a 49 year old woman, experienced a sudden episode of memory loss where, when she heard her grandchild's name mentioned in conversation, had no idea who she was or that she had just visited with her an hour earlier.  Since then, she has no short term memory older than five minutes.  She seems to lose everything as fast as it happens.  Her long term memory is apparently in tact.  She knows her family, recognizes her grandchild when she sees her.  Other than the ongoing loss of memory, she seems perfectly normal and healthy.  She is in the hospital and undergoing tests.  Strangely, she forgot her extreme claustrophobia and underwent an MRI with no problems.  The doctors seem to be at a loss, so far, to explain what is happening to her.  I know that short term memory loss can be a result of traumatic brain injury.  But this woman had no injuries or accidents.  Has anyone ever heard of anything like this before?

[sal17]

Last night at 9:30pm, my mom's memory was intact and by 8am this morning, she couldn't remember anything that happened in the last few weeks or so.  She seemed physically fine, but started asking what day of the week it was multiple times, missed an appointment, and asked questions that seemed "strange."  We took her to the emergency, got an MRI where it was established that no stroke had occurred.  The doctor said, "this happens sometimes," and only offered stress as a possible cause.  He did not point us to any direction.  He said she will most likely gain her memory back, but if not, consult your primary care physician because there are things an MRI may miss, but did not offer what kinds of things an MRI may miss.

[maryheather]

I hate to post this...however, you need to research EOAD...Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease.  Granted, sudden onset of symptoms isn't typical, however, the symptoms are more aggressive and come on more quickly than with regular AD.  Have you noticed any sluggishness with speech, loss of word to describe an object, misplacing objects, telling the same things over and over, "misplacing" car in parking lot, seeming comfused over simple things?  This is a relatively new diagnosis, and difficult to sometimes find answers, but a good Neurologist can help diagnose.  
On the other hand, TIA's (mini strokes) can be a cause of this as well.
Good luck, and keep us posted.
~mh

[phleb]

I was thinking the same thing as the above answer. Mini strokes can cause quick memory loss. If that is the case they should be able to find that through testing.

[myproblem]

Maybe she had a little stroke, and can't say so because she doesn't remember.