Nearly complete memory loss following concussion
 

Hi all, my 10 year old daughter suffered a concussion four days ago. She's been basically pain free since the night of the event ... Happy and no change in personality. I've seen some cognitive improvement ... Simple addition seems to be coming back and some letter confusion appears to have cleared up. Not all perfect, but improving. Heck, she was impressive on the tests given to her by the neurologist and other medical professionals.

My main concern is regarding the nearly complete memory loss of people and life happenings prior to concussion. We've come up with 14 people she remembers. Any insights and information regarding this?

For better or worse, she is back to school for a half day tomorrow ... Doctor recommendation, not mine ... But of course worried because she doesn't remember a soul.

Thanks in advance for any bits of wisdom.

TomVB,

Welcome to NeuroTalk. Sorry to hear about your daughter.

I agree with you that it is a bit premature for her to be back at school. It's your choice, not the neuro's. Maybe you could instead make other connections for her to get her bearings. Maybe she should have an escort to help her if she feels confused or anxious. She has plenty of time. At 10, missing a bit of school won't make much of a difference.

My best to you both.

Thanks, Mark, I appreciate the input (and the forum). My daughter did end up at school today. Despite not recognizing a soul, she had a good morning. Good news is that it is only two days this week and then 1.5 weeks of winter break.

Geez, I've searched high and low and can't find talk/discussion about such extreme memory loss. We'll see what the neurologist says next Monday ... though hoping we'll have progress by then.

There is a specific part of the brain that connects faces to names. Sometimes, it is only a specific part of the memory system that is malfunctioning.

A Neuro Psychologist may have more information than a neurologist. A speech pathologist may be helpful.

Is it that your daughter doesn't recognize their faces ( Prosopagnosia) or is it that she doesn't remember any of the people or anything about them any more? I think facial agnosia can happen after TBI too but from your first post it sounds as if it's more than that.

I would echo the suggestion regarding a Neuropsychologist.

edited to add: personally, if it was my 10 year old daughter and she had memory loss as bad as you describe and she was only 4 or 5 days post concussion I wouldn't have her going to school. I'm wondering why her doctor would suggest such a thing.

btw there is a lot of info regarding amnesia following head injury online.

Yes ... DEFINITELY more than just not recognizing faces. Complete and full blown inability to know/remember people AND the events of her life. Almost no memory at all. I did find quite a bit of discussion about amnesia related to missing days and weeks ... but nothing about missing a full lifetime! On the upside, personality, problem solving, etc. are all pretty much status quo. And, I suppose, good that she ... at least ... enjoyed going to school today. Teachers and students did a great job of not overwhelming her. But ... yea ... I wonder about the recommendation to take on school this soon ... and we've been known to get some awful medical advice at our local hospital.

I would err on the side of protecting my child, over what any dr suggests...
Is she partaking in recess or PT class? :eek: chances of new bumps??

I was thinking about amnesia also...

Thanks! Oh ... definitely no recess or gym. She was there for just three hours today with the understanding that she was an observer. A teacher walked with her between classes. Mostly, I just keep hearing and reading that rest and quiet are the best thing she can do. Sitting in a class with a bunch of kids you realize you should know but don't, doesn't sound that relaxing to me!

On the upside, it's just today and tomorrow and then she is off of school for the next 10 days or so.

Mostly concerned about the severe amnesia. Hoping I can report some movement forward on that as we move through the days ahead.

(Gosh, that girl is one happy kid right now ... right personality for the job I think.)

4-5 Months Out
 

That memory of hers never did come back. Almost complete memory loss of all events and people prior to the concussion. That said, given what I know others endure ... we can't complain. Very little problems with headaches ... and she is now completely cleared for all activities. In fact she got straight A's in school for the last quarter, so cognitive abilities still super. Turns out, too, that fifth graders (at least our fifth grader) doesn't care that she can't remember anything of her life prior to the concussion!

Glad to hear she did not lose her academic skills. Has she been able to remember current faces and names ? As distressing as her prior memory loss is, having functions she can move forward with is a blessing.