[The amnestic episode as a symptom of vertebrobasilar insufficiency].

People who experience an episode of transient amnesia are often not inclined to inform their doctors. Sometimes they behave normally and respond adequately, so that other people do not notice their abnormal condition. Sometimes, however, they behave abnormally or repeat the same question over and over again. The amnestic episode begins suddenly and the short-term memory is limited to several minutes. There is a retrograde amnesia for up to several years, that disappears slowly, and apparently no confabulations. Three professors of medicine and other patients have reported their transitory amnesias. Their experiences have revealed much about the dynamics of this disease.