MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: General paresis

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General paresis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Central nervous system

Definition Return to top

General paresis is an impairment of mental function caused by damage to the brain from untreated syphilis. It is now extremely uncommon.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

General paresis is one form of neurosyphilis, which is a manifestation of a late, untreated syphilis infection. It is a progressive, life-threatening complication.

The infection causes widespread damage to the nerves of the brain. This damage results in personality changes, mood changes, hyperactive reflexes, eye changes with abnormal pupil response, abnormal mental function including hallucinations and delusions, decreased intellectual functioning, speech changes, and brief, sharp, "lightning" pains that are characteristic of tabes dorsalis.

General paresis typically begins about 15-20 years after the original syphills infection. The risks include previous syphilis infection and previous infection with other sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea (which may hide symptoms of syphilis infection). Syphilis infections are transmitted primarily through sexual contact with an infected lesion, but may also occasionally be transmitted by non-sexual contact.

Symptoms Return to top

Seizures
Loss of short-term memory (recent events)
Loss of long-term memory (long-past events)
Impaired judgment
Decreased language ability (aphasia)
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 Return to top

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 may be unable to stand with the eyes closed (Romberg test).

Blood tests to detect syphilis in the body include:

VDRL
FTA-ABS

Tests to evaluate the nervous system may include:

A CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination with abnormal results (positive VDRL or FTA-ABS test of CSF confirming neurosyphilis)
A head CT scan
Nerve conduction tests

Treatment Return to top

The goals of treatment are to cure the infection and reduce progression of the disorder. Treatment of the infection will reduce new nerve damage, but will not cure existing damage. Penicillin or other antibiotics, such as doxycycline, are given to treat the infection. Treatment may be prolonged to ensure that the infection is completely cleared. A follow-up examination of the cerebrospinal fluid is required to evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy.

Symptomatic treatment is required for existing neurologic damage. Emergency treatment of seizures may be required. Anticonvulsants (such as phenytoin) may be needed to control seizures.

Assistance or supervision with such activities as eating and dressing may be needed if patients are unable to care for themselves. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, or other interventions may be appropriate for people with muscle weakness.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Progressive disability is likely. People with late syphilis infections are more prone to the development of other infections and diseases. If not treated, progressive disability is likely.

Complications Return to top

Complications include the inability to care for oneself, the inability to communicate or interact, injury caused during seizures, and injury from falls (related to unsteady gait).

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Call your health care provider if the symptoms of general paresis are present, particularly if there is a known history of syphilis infection.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if seizures occur.

Prevention Return to top

Adequate treatment and follow-up of primary syphilis and secondary syphilis infections will prevent general paresis.

Safer sex practices, such as limiting partners and using protective barriers when in contact with potentially infectious material, may reduce the risk of developing the initial syphilis infection.

Update Date: 4/25/2004

Updated by: Joseph V. Campellone, M.D., Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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