Neurosyphilis is a condition that affects the brain or the spinal cord in a person and it often occurs in individuals that have untreated syphilis for many years following the initial infection. Neurosyphilis results from bacteria called Treponema pallidum and it occurs almost 10 to 20 years after an individual is infected.

It is important to understand that not every case of syphilis progresses to neurosyphilis. This condition includes four different types. These different types include asymptomatic, general paresis, meningovascular and tabes dorsalis. In some cases no symptoms may be observed while in other cases certain symptoms associated with this condition may be noted.

Neurosyphilis is observed in 15 to 20% of the tertiary syphilis cases and this condition is progressive and can result in life threatening complications. Asymptomatic form of this condition precedes the symptomatic syphilis and this is present in around 15% cases having latent syphilis. In this condition the cerebrospinal fluid may have abnormalities but symptoms related to this may not be present.

With meningovascular neurosyphilis pupil abnormalities and cranial nerve palsies may be some of the symptoms. This may also result in damage to the blood vessels and can result in stroke. In tabes dorsalis degeneration of spinal cord often occurs and this can result in inability to walk. Finally in general paresis tremors, seizures and paralysis along with mental decline may occur due to damage to the brain cells.

These symptoms associated with neurosyphilis include blindness, confusion, depression, headache, incontinence, irritability, inability to walk, mental decline, paralysis, seizures, tremors, stiff neck, visual disturbances, and weakness along with numbness in the lower extremities. Muscle contractions, abnormal reflexes and muscle atrophy are some signs that may indicate possibility of this condition.

Certain blood tests can be conducted so as to detect substances that are produced by bacteria that cause this condition. The tests conducted include the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test (FTA-ABS), Rapid plasma reagin test (RPR) and the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay test (TPPA). In neurosyphilis the spinal fluid can be checked for syphilis signs.

Problems in the nervous system may be identified through some tests like the cerebral angiogram, head CT scan and lumbar puncture along with the cerebrospinal fluid analysis. MRI scans of the brain stem along with the brain and spinal cord can help identify problems. Neurosyphilis can be treated with penicillin and this can be injected every day in the vein for around 10 to 14 days.