Clinical characteristics neurosyphilis patients

Neurosyphilis is a treatable cause of dementia. We retrospectively investigated the clinical, cognitive and radiological features of patients with general paresis of the insane (GPI). GPI patients were carefully selected according to the following criteria: (1) a reactive CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test; (2) the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination test and rapid plasma regain test of the se rum and CSF were positive; (3) white cell counts in CSF of ≥10/ mm3 , and protein levels of >500 mg/l. Cognitive assessment was performed 4 weeks after the largest dose of penicillin was administered by intravenous injection. There were 19 neurosyphilis patients. All patients were males. Mean clinical presentation and follow-up duration were 48 ve 2,12 years respectively. Mean admission age was 48(8,74) years. Mean education level was 5,22(1,2) years. Mean was 2,12(2,10) years. Mean MMSE and CDR scores were 14,4(8,6) and 2,38(1.1) respectively. GPI patients have their own unique clinical and radiological findings. GPI in patients with early-onset dementia should be kept in mind.