Neurodegenerative Diseases: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Question 1

Alzheimer's disease is primarily characterized by the abnormal accumulation of which protein?

Accepted Answer

Beta-amyloid

Answer

Alpha-synuclein

Answer

Tau

Answer

Huntingtin

Question 2

Which type of neuron is most susceptible to degeneration in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic neurons

Answer

Astrocytes

Answer

Oligodendrocytes

Answer

Microglia

Question 3

Which imaging modality is commonly used for visualizing and diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases in living patients?

Accepted Answer

MRI

Answer

X-ray

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Answer

Ultrasound

Question 4

What is the primary role of glial cells in the context of neurodegenerative disorders?

Accepted Answer

Provide immune protection and support

Answer

Generate electrical impulses

Answer

Facilitate neurotransmitter release

Answer

Regulate cerebrospinal fluid flow

Question 5

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

Progressive neuronal degeneration

Answer

Inflammation of the brain

Answer

Abnormal cell proliferation

Answer

Increased neurotransmitter activity

Question 6

Which neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the accumulation of protein aggregates known as Lewy bodies?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Question 7

What primary neurotransmitter deficit is associated with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

GABA

Question 8

What is the current understanding of the relationship between inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation can both cause and result from neuronal damage

Answer

Inflammation solely causes neuronal loss

Answer

Inflammation solely results from neuronal damage

Answer

Inflammation is unrelated to neurodegenerative diseases

Question 9

What is the primary aim of symptomatic treatment in neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

To control symptoms and enhance quality of life

Answer

To cure the underlying disease process

Answer

To prevent further neuronal loss

Answer

To slow the rate of disease progression

Question 10

A defining characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases is:

Accepted Answer

Progressive loss of neurons

Answer

Sudden onset of symptoms

Answer

Reversible damage to brain tissue

Answer

Exclusively genetic basis

Question 11

In Alzheimer's disease, which neurotransmitter system is primarily affected?

Accepted Answer

Cholinergic

Answer

Dopaminergic

Answer

Serotonergic

Answer

GABAergic

Question 12

To detect amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease, which diagnostic technique is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT) scan

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 13

In motor neuron diseases, which part of the neuron is affected?

Accepted Answer

Axon

Answer

Cell body

Answer

Dendrites

Answer

Myelin sheath

Question 14

Which neurodegenerative disease is characterized by the accumulation of Lewy bodies?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Question 15

Huntington's disease is associated with which genetic mutation?

Accepted Answer

CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion

Answer

BRCA1 mutation

Answer

CFTR mutation

Answer

HFE mutation

Question 16

Parkinson's disease can present with non-motor symptoms such as:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Tremor

Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Rigidity

Question 17

Which of the following is an early symptom of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Mild cognitive impairment, such as memory loss and difficulty concentrating

Answer

Muscle rigidity

Answer

Depression

Answer

Loss of balance and coordination

Question 18

What is the most common genetic mutation associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)?

Accepted Answer

C9orf72 repeat expansion

Answer

SOD1 mutation

Answer

TARDBP mutation

Answer

FUS mutation

Question 19

Which imaging technique is commonly used to assess brain metabolism in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)

Answer

Computed tomography (CT)

Answer

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Answer

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Question 20

What is a potential surgical treatment option for Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Answer

Vagotomy

Answer

Appendectomy

Answer

Gastrectomy

Question 21

Which of the following is a modifiable risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

Smoking

Answer

Family history

Answer

Head injury

Answer

Age

Question 22

What is the key obstacle in developing effective treatments for neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

The progressive and irreversible nature of neuronal damage

Answer

Ethical considerations

Answer

Lack of funding

Answer

Difficulty in crossing the blood-brain barrier

Question 23

What is the ultimate goal of research on neurodegenerative diseases?

Accepted Answer

To improve patient outcomes and quality of life

Answer

To satisfy scientific curiosity

Answer

To advance medical knowledge

Answer

To reduce the prevalence of these diseases