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Neurosyphilis masquerading as corticobasal degeneration
Author(s) -
BenitoLeón J.,
AlvarezLinera J.,
Louis E.D.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
movement disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.352
H-Index - 198
eISSN - 1531-8257
pISSN - 0885-3185
DOI - 10.1002/mds.20221
Subject(s) - neurosyphilis , corticobasal degeneration , medicine , myoclonus , movement disorders , cognition , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuroscience , psychology , syphilis , dementia , pathology , psychiatry , disease , immunology , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv)
We report on a patient with a syndrome resembling corticobasal ganglionic degeneration (CBD), including slight cognitive impairment, asymmetric akinesia, rigidity with myoclonus, and arm levitation, which can be one of the features of alien limb phenomenon; however, further diagnostic testing was consistent with neurosyphilis. Syphilis, “the great imitator,” may also masquerade as CBD. Because neurosyphilis is treatable, it should be considered in the workup of patients with cognitive impairment and motor signs of CBD. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society