Twenty patients (mean age 64 years) with a previous episode of transie
nt global amnesia (TGA) were examined to assess the functioning of obj
ective memory (by using the Randt Memory Test), the metamemory capacit
ies (Sehulster Memory Scale), the residual level of retrograde amnesia
(Questionnaire of Remote Events), and the level of depression (Geriat
ric Depression Scale). Patients with residual retrograde amnesia score
d significantly lower than non-amnesic ones on indices of both short-t
erm and long-term memory, and for one of three main metamemory compone
nts, namely self-rating of memory functioning through comparison with
memory functioning of peers (Set 3). Age, time interval from TGA attac
k and TGA duration did not prove to influence memory and metamemory sc
ores. Retrograde amnesia and depression were rather substantially asso
ciated (1/5), and this association was found to negatively influence n
early all memory and metamemory scores. Depression level showed a posi
tive correlation with short-term memory functioning in non-amnesics. T
he different pattern and strength of the relationships between metamem
ory components and objective memory dimensions observed in amnesics an
d non-amnesics indicate that metamemory evaluations are more closely r
elated to memory functioning in amnesics than in non-amnesics.