On the syphilitic etiology of early dementia

Among the various etiological aspects of dementia praecox or schizophrenia, various forms of suffering are called, including syphilis. Thus, Gilyarovsky believes that the presence of pathologic-anatomical changes in the vessels of the brain in schizophrenia, expressed in their infiltration with the participation of plasma cells, in the proliferation of their endothelium, an increase in the number of nuclei in media and adventitia, speak for the syphilitic nature of these changes. Serological data also encourage some authors to consider syphilis the culprit of early dementia. So, Vorobyova found R.W. for 119 cases of early dementia. positive in 69.8%, Lawson indicates 9 positive cases in 21 surveys. Bleuler has 3 cases of positive R. W. for 15 examined cases-13 positive R.W. for 37 examinations. Klyuev notes a positive R.W. in 26.2% in schizophrenia.