Neurotoxicology: Effects of Toxins on the Nervous System

Question 1

Which of the following is not a recognized mechanism of neurotoxicity?

Accepted Answer

Hormonal imbalance

Answer

Excitotoxicity

Answer

Oxidative stress

Answer

Mitochondrial dysfunction

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which neurotoxic agents can harm neurons?

Accepted Answer

Stimulating neurotrophic signaling pathways

Answer

Inhibiting DNA repair mechanisms

Answer

Activating excitotoxic receptors

Answer

Inducing oxidative stress

Question 3

The neuroprotective effects of glutathione in the nervous system are primarily attributed to its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Scavenge free radicals

Answer

Stimulate neurogenesis

Answer

Inhibit excitotoxicity

Answer

Enhance synaptic plasticity

Question 4

The concept of 'selective neurotoxicity' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Certain toxins selectively target specific neuronal populations

Answer

Neurotoxic effects are always systemic and non-specific

Answer

Neurotoxins can only affect the central nervous system

Answer

Neurotoxic damage is always irreversible

Question 5

The organophosphate insecticide parathion exerts its toxic effects primarily by:

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Stimulating NMDA receptors

Answer

Blocking GABA receptors

Answer

Inducing lipid peroxidation

Question 6

Which of the following clinical syndromes is associated with exposure to botulinum toxin?

Accepted Answer

Botulism

Answer

Parkinsonism

Answer

Huntington's disease

Answer

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Question 7

Which of the following drugs is known to have neurotoxic side effects?

Accepted Answer

Lithium

Answer

Metformin

Answer

Statins

Answer

Aspirin

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a major class of neurotoxins?

Accepted Answer

Neuroprotectants

Answer

Metals

Answer

Pesticides

Answer

Organic solvents

Question 9

What is the primary mechanism of action of organophosphate insecticides?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Stimulation of AMPA receptors

Answer

Blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels

Answer

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 10

What is the most common form of central nervous system neurotoxicity associated with alcohol consumption?

Accepted Answer

Wernicke encephalopathy

Answer

Thiamine deficiency

Answer

Central pontine myelinolysis

Answer

Marchiafava-Bignami disease

Question 11

What is the term for neurotoxicity that occurs long after exposure to certain toxic agents?

Accepted Answer

Delayed neurotoxicity

Answer

Acute neurotoxicity

Answer

Chronic neurotoxicity

Answer

Subacute neurotoxicity

Question 12

Which cellular component is primarily targeted by mercury neurotoxicity?

Accepted Answer

Mitochondria

Answer

Neurons

Answer

Glia

Answer

Blood-brain barrier

Question 13

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier in neurotoxicology?

Accepted Answer

To protect the brain from harmful substances

Answer

To facilitate neurotoxin entry into the brain

Answer

To excrete neurotoxins from the brain

Answer

It has no role in neurotoxicology

Question 14

When present in excessive amounts, the neurotransmitter glutamate can lead to:

Accepted Answer

Excitotoxicity

Answer

Synaptic plasticity

Answer

Neuroprotection

Answer

Neurogenesis

Question 15

In a patient who develops Parkinson's disease-like symptoms after exposure to a pesticide, which neurotransmitter system is most likely to be affected?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic

Answer

GABAergic

Answer

Glutamatergic

Answer

Serotonergic

Question 16

Which type of neurotoxin is a naturally occurring substance that can cause a variety of effects on the nervous system, including neurodegeneration?

Accepted Answer

Aflatoxin

Answer

Excitotoxin

Answer

Botulinum toxin

Answer

Cyanide

Question 17

Which neurotoxin selectively targets the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra?

Accepted Answer

1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

Answer

Strychnine

Answer

Botulinum toxin

Question 18

What is the primary mode of action of botulinum toxin?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholine release

Answer

Stimulation of dopamine receptors

Answer

Blockade of voltage-gated calcium channels

Answer

Activation of AMPA receptors

Question 19

What is the function of the blood-brain barrier in the context of neurotoxicology?

Accepted Answer

Limits the entry of toxins into the central nervous system

Answer

Promotes the elimination of toxins from the central nervous system

Answer

Enhances the metabolism of toxins

Question 20

What is the primary mechanism of toxicity of organophosphate insecticides?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Blockade of sodium channels

Answer

Stimulation of glutamate receptors

Answer

Activation of GABA receptors

Question 21

Which of the following is a potential treatment for neurotoxicology?

Accepted Answer

Chelation therapy

Answer

Antibiotics

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Question 22

What is the ethical obligation of healthcare professionals regarding neurotoxicology?

Accepted Answer

To minimize exposure to neurotoxins and to ensure appropriate management of neurotoxicological disorders

Answer

To only treat patients with neurotoxicological disorders