What is the definition or description of: transient global amnesia?

Complete memory loss: Transient global amnesia is a neurologic syndrome in which patients experience sudden, almost complete loss of short-term memory. There is variable involvement of recent memory extending back in time for weeks to months before the event. In < 24 symptoms improve almost entirely, but a bit of memory loss around the event will remain. Rarely associated with stroke or seizure. Cause is not known.

Loss of memory: Amnesia is a loss of memory. We all suffer amnesia for names, phone numbers, dates, items to get at the store, etc. However, in some cases a global loss of all memory can occur for a block of time that is transient. Causes can be seizure, migraine, stroke, drug effect, or psychological. Often the patient does not realize that he lost a period of time in his life.