Neurosyphilis Initially Misdiagnosed as Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia: Life-Changing Differential Diagnosis

Diagnosing neurosyphilis can be challenging and it may be misdiagnosed as behavior variant frontotemporal dementia, given its affinity for the frontal and temporal lobes. Here we present a model case, who, in his 40 s, was initially misdiagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia based...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:JAD reports 2023-09, Vol.7 (1), p.1077-1083
Main Authors: Funayama, Michitaka, Kuramochi, Shin, Kudo, Shun
Format: Article
Language:English
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Short Communication
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Summary:Diagnosing neurosyphilis can be challenging and it may be misdiagnosed as behavior variant frontotemporal dementia, given its affinity for the frontal and temporal lobes. Here we present a model case, who, in his 40 s, was initially misdiagnosed with behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia based on extreme self-neglect and disinhibition over six months and frontal lobe atrophy. He was later diagnosed as neurosyphilis with positive syphilis tests in his cerebrospinal fluid. He underwent penicillin treatment and fully recovered. Relatively rapid cognitive decline, particularly if young, should prompt physicians to consider neurosyphilis as a treatable dementia, which could completely change a patient’s life.
ISSN:2542-4823
2542-4823
DOI:10.3233/ADR-230107