General paresis

Symptoms:

• seizures
• the loss of short-term memory (recent events)
• the loss of long-term memory (long-past events)
• impaired judgment
• a decreased language ability (aphasia)
• the loss of ability to calculate
• personality changes
  • inappropriate moods
  • no mood exhibited
  • irritable, angry
  • delusions, hallucinations

• decreased motivation, apathy
• muscle weakness (difficulty using legs, arms, or other parts of the body)

Signs and tests:

An eye examination may indicate a change in pupil response. A neurologic and muscular examination indicates slowly progressive dementia, with loss of multiple brain functions. Muscle weakness may be evident. There may be a loss of vibratory and position sense. Gait disturbances are common. The person is unable to stand with the eyes closed (Romberg test).

Blood tests to detect syphilis in the body:

• VDRL
• FTA-ABS

Tests to evaluate the nervous system may include:

• a CSF examination with abnormal results:
  • positive VDRL or FTA-ABS test of CSF confirming neurosyphilis

• a head CT scan
• nerve conduction tests