Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

NLM Logo

Neurosyphilis MeSH Descriptor Data 2026


MeSH Heading
Neurosyphilis
Tree Number(s)
C01.150.252.223.600
C01.150.252.400.794.840.500.750
C01.150.252.400.840.500.750
C01.207.180.600
C10.228.228.180.600
Unique ID
D009494
RDF Unique Identifier
http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/D009494
Scope Note
Infections of the central nervous system caused by TREPONEMA PALLIDUM which present with a variety of clinical syndromes. The initial phase of infection usually causes a mild or asymptomatic meningeal reaction. The meningovascular form may present acutely as BRAIN INFARCTION. The infection may also remain subclinical for several years. Late syndromes include general paresis; TABES DORSALIS; meningeal syphilis; syphilitic OPTIC ATROPHY; and spinal syphilis. General paresis is characterized by progressive DEMENTIA; DYSARTHRIA; TREMOR; MYOCLONUS; SEIZURES; and Argyll-Robertson pupils. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp722-8)
Entry Term(s)
Central Nervous System Syphilis
General Paralysis
General Paralysis of the Insane
General Paresis
General Paresis of the Insane
Juvenile Paresis
Neurosyphilis, Asymptomatic
Neurosyphilis, Gummatous
Neurosyphilis, Juvenile
Neurosyphilis, Secondary
Neurosyphilis, Symptomatic
Paralysis, General
Paretic Neurosyphilis
Secondary Neurosyphilis
Syphilis, CNS
Syphilis, Central Nervous System
NLM Classification #
WC 165
Public MeSH Note
1966; for GENERAL PARALYSIS & PARALYSIS, GENERAL see PARESIS 1963-93
History Note
1963; for GENERAL PARALYSIS & PARALYSIS, GENERAL use PARESIS 1963-93
Date Introduced
1963/01/01
Last Updated
2019/06/17
Neurosyphilis Preferred
General Paralysis Narrower
Juvenile Paresis Narrower
Neurosyphilis, Asymptomatic Narrower
Neurosyphilis, Gummatous Narrower
Neurosyphilis, Juvenile Narrower
Neurosyphilis, Secondary Narrower
Neurosyphilis, Symptomatic Narrower
page delivered in 0.143s