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Weakness or the total inability to move a body part
Numbness, loss of sensation
Tingling or other abnormal sensations
Decreased or lost vision, partial or temporary
Language difficulties (aphasia)
Inability to recognize or identify sensory stimuli (agnosia)
Loss of memory
Vertigo (abnormal sensation of movement)
Loss of coordination
Swallowing difficulties
Personality changes
Mood and emotion changes
Urinary incontinence (lack of control over bladder)
Lack of control over the bowels
Consciousness changes
- Sleepy
- Stuporous, somnolent, lethargic
- Comatose, unconscious

Signs and Tests

A known history of syphilis may help to indicate syphilis as the cause of the stroke.

Tests may be used to confirm syphilis as the cause of the stroke, including:

Serum (blood) VDRL and RPR are screening tests. If positive FTA-Abs and MHATP are done to confirm the diagnosis.
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) examination, showing positive CSF VDRL test, increased number of white blood cells, increased protein level, increased pressure of the fluid, or other abnormality.

The location and extent of the area of the brain involved in the stroke may be determined by: