Neurosyphilis Mimicking Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia in a 59-Year-Old Man.
Journal
Cognitive and behavioral neurology : official journal of the Society for Behavioral and Cognitive Neurology
ISSN: 1543-3641
Titre abrégé: Cogn Behav Neurol
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101167278
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
01 06 2022
01 06 2022
Historique:
received:
19
06
2020
accepted:
29
06
2021
entrez:
31
5
2022
pubmed:
1
6
2022
medline:
3
6
2022
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
We present the case of a man exhibiting a clinical phenotype of behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). The man had developed psychiatric disturbances with verbal aggressiveness over a few months, followed by cognitive and frontal behavioral disorders, fulfilling the clinical criteria for bvFTD. Atrophy and hypometabolism in frontotemporal regions were consistent with the diagnosis. However, serum-screening exams for syphilis infection were positive, and CSF analysis, despite a negative Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test, suggested the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. After specific antibiotic therapy, the man's behavioral abnormalities and cognitive deficits notably improved, confirming neurosyphilis as the cause of the clinical phenotype. The cognitive deficits completely recovered 1 year post therapy and remained stable for 2 years. After ∼2½ years from the first treatment, the man's behavioral disorders mildly worsened, at which time we re-evaluated him. His cognition was stable, and a positive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory Test confirmed the diagnosis of neurosyphilis. With this case, we demonstrated that in some instances, neurosyphilis can mimic frontotemporal dementia. As a cause of treatable dementia, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bvFTD, particularly when psychiatric symptoms and a rapid cognitive decline are noted, even in the presence of brain atrophy and/or hypometabolism.
Identifiants
pubmed: 35639012
doi: 10.1097/WNN.0000000000000299
pii: 00146965-202206000-00007
doi:
Types de publication
Case Reports
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
140-146Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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