title: Neurosyphilis as a great imitator: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neurosyphilis is defined as any involvement of the central nervous system by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Movement disorders as manifestations of syphilis have been reported quite rarely.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 42-year-old Russian man living in Estonia with rapidly progressive dementia and movement disorders manifesting as myoclonus, cerebellar ataxia and parkinsonism. The mini mental state examination score was 12/30. After excluding different neurodegenerative causes, further diagnostic testing was consistent with neurosyphilis. Treatment with penicillin was started and 6 months later his mini mental state examination score was 25/30 and he had no myoclonus, parkinsonism or cerebellar dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since syphilis is easily diagnosed and treatable, it should be considered and tested in patients with cognitive impairment and movement disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, 8 L. Puusepa Street, 51014, Tartu, Estonia. liis.sabre@kliinikum.ee.|Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia. liis.sabre@kliinikum.ee.
authors.forename: Liis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sabre
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, 8 L. Puusepa Street, 51014, Tartu, Estonia.|Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Braschinsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, 8 L. Puusepa Street, 51014, Tartu, Estonia.|Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
authors.forename: Pille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D002527:Myoclonic Cerebellar Dyssynergia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009494:Neurosyphilis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020734:Parkinsonian Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010406:Penicillins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014210:Treponema pallidum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010406:Penicillins
keywords: Dementia; Movement disorders; Neurosyphilis