Relationship between MRI findings and prognosis for patients with general paresis.
MRI was performed in 7 patients with general paresis before or at a very early stage of treatment. A large dose of antibiotics, mainly penicillin, was given to all patients, and the effects of treatment, the patients' outcome, and MRI findings were investigated. Three of the 7 patients had MRI findings of atrophy of the medial temporal lobe including the hippocampus. In the medial temporal lobe atrophy group, a personality change or general dementia remained even after the treatment was completed, and outcome in social functioning was poor. Medial temporal lobe atrophy may be a poor prognostic sign in general paresis.
Kodama
K
K
Department of Neuropsychiatry, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan. kodama@med.m.chiba-u.ac.jp
Okada
S
S
Komatsu
N
N
Yamanouchi
N
N
Noda
S
S
Kumakiri
C
C
Sato
T
T
D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002552:Cerebral Ventricles / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome