[A case of successful antisyphilitic treatment for a patient with general paresis]

A 59-year-old male patient with general paresis was hospitalized because of personality changes and memory disturbances without any neurological deficits. His Mini Mental State score was 11, and his total IQ on the WAIS-R was 56. TPHA titers in serum and the CSF were over 40960x and 640x respectively. Both the white blood cell count as well as total protein were found to be increased in the CSF and FTA-ABS in the CSF was positive. The patient was treated with penicillin, one million units per day intramuscularly for 14 days, and four million units per day intravenously for 10 days. The abnormal findings in the CSF, his unstable mood and agitation improved, as well as his scores on the Mini Mental State (17) and total IQ (74), and the patient was able to once again function socially. This case emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of general paresis.