Which condition is characterized by degeneration of dorsal column nerves?

Tabes dorsalis is a specific condition that arises as a late complication of untreated syphilis, primarily affecting the dorsal columns of the spinal cord. The dorsal columns are responsible for transmitting proprioceptive and fine touch sensations from the body to the brain. In tabes dorsalis, the degeneration of these dorsal column nerves leads to distinct clinical features.

Patients with tabes dorsalis typically experience sensory symptoms such as loss of proprioception and vibratory sense, resulting in ataxia and a positive Romberg sign, where individuals have difficulty maintaining balance when standing with their eyes closed. Additionally, these patients may suffer from characteristic symptoms such as lightning pains, bladder dysfunction, and Argyll Robertson pupils, which are pupils that accommodate but do not react to light.

In contrast, the other options represent conditions that do not primarily affect the dorsal columns. Parkinson's disease mainly involves the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, which affects movement and coordination. Diabetic neuropathy is a manifestation of diabetes mellitus that usually involves peripheral nerves and presents with a variety of sensory, motor, and autonomic symptoms, but does not specifically target the dorsal columns. Multiple sclerosis involves demyelination in various areas of the central nervous system, affecting motor