paretic neurosyphilis

a type of later tertiary syphilis, clinically manifested by progressive dementia (often with delusional systems), seizures, Argyll-Robertson pupils, dysarthria, myoclonic jerks, action tremors, generalized hyperreflexia, and Babinski signs; pathologic studies reveal a chronic frontotemporoparietal meningoencephalitis; formerly one of the major causes for insanity.

Synonym(s): chronic progressive syphilitic meningoencephalitis, general paresis