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Updated: May 22, 2026

Developing a Rat Model for Bipolar Disorder
Published on: May 2, 2025
Neurosyphilis presenting as mania
Izabela Guimarães Barbosa1, Thiago Cardoso Vale, Daniela Lino de Macedo
1Programa de Pós-Graduação em Neurociências, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. izabelagb@gmail.com
Objective:
General paresis of the insane is a late and severe form of neurosyphilis characterized by nonspecific neuropsychiatric symptoms. There are a limited number of case reports of mood disorders presenting in neurosyphilis, with depressive illness being the most common.
Methods:
We performed a literature review of case reports of secondary bipolar disorder induced by syphilitic infection.
Results:
Herein reported is a case of a 53-year-old woman who initially presented with symptoms of mania and depression, mimicking bipolar disorder, but was subsequently diagnosed with general paresis of the insane.
Conclusion:
The present case report emphasizes that if a substantial delay occurs in syphilis diagnosis and management, the patient may have a very poor prognosis.
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