Syncope By Andrea D Thompson, MD, PhD, University of Michigan; Michael J Shea, MD, Michigan Medicine at the University of Michigan Reviewed / Revised Jul 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Pathophysiology Etiology Evaluation Treatment Geriatrics Essentials: Syncope Key Points More Information Topic Resources Some Causes of Syncope Some Drug Causes of Syncope Syncope is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness with loss of postural tone followed by spontaneous revival.