paresis /pərē″sis, per″isis/ [Gk, paralyein, to be palsied] , 1. motor weakness or partial paralysis related in some cases to local neuritis. Also called dementia paralytica, general paresis, paralytic dementia. 2. a late manifestation of neurosyphilis, characterized by generalized paralysis, tremulous incoordination, transient seizures, Argyll Robertson pupils, and progressive dementia caused by degeneration of cortical neurons. Paresis resulting from untreated syphilis usually develops in the third to fifth decade but may occur at an early age in patients with congenital syphilis. −paretic, adj.
