MCQ's On Nervous System Disorders Part 1

The basic unit of the nervous system is a neuron. Neurons are specialized cells that transmit information throughout the body. They receive and process signals from other neurons or sensory organs, and then send out electrical impulses to other neurons, muscles, or glands. Neurons are responsible for coordinating and controlling various functions in the body, including movement, sensation, and cognition. They are the building blocks of the nervous system and play a crucial role in maintaining overall bodily functions.

Parkinson's disease is caused by the death of neurons in the brain that produce dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in coordinating movement and regulating mood. When these dopamine-producing neurons die, it leads to a decrease in dopamine levels, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with coordination and balance.

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia in the general population. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, leading to the death of brain cells and the deterioration of cognitive function. While other conditions like epilepsy, vascular disease, and head trauma can also cause dementia, Alzheimer's Disease is the most prevalent and well-known cause.

Aphasia is the correct answer because it refers to the difficulty in speaking and understanding speech. It is a language disorder that can result from brain damage, such as a stroke or head injury. People with aphasia may have trouble finding the right words, forming sentences, or understanding what others are saying. This condition can vary in severity and can affect both spoken and written language abilities.

Paralysis refers to the complete loss of function in one or more muscle groups. It can be caused by various factors such as nerve damage, spinal cord injury, or stroke. This condition leads to the inability to move and control the affected muscles. Paralysis can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause.

Position Emission Tomography (PET) is a diagnostic imaging technique used to detect and monitor diseases, including cancer. However, it is not a treatment modality for brain and spinal tumors. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are commonly used treatment options for these types of tumors.

Epilepsy is the correct answer because it is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, which can result in various symptoms such as convulsions, loss of consciousness, and sensory disturbances. Unlike paralysis, stroke, and nervous disorder, epilepsy specifically refers to a condition that causes unprovoked seizures in patients.

Cerebral palsy affects neurons in the brain. This condition is caused by damage to the developing brain, typically before or during birth, which affects muscle control and coordination. The damage to the brain disrupts the normal communication between the brain and the muscles, leading to difficulties with movement, posture, and balance.

Epilepsy is the correct answer because it is a neurological disorder characterized by abnormal and excessive discharge of nerve impulses in the brain. This leads to recurring seizures, which can vary in severity and frequency. Paralysis, stroke, and nervous disorder are not accurate descriptions of this specific condition.

Gradually increasing pain and weakness, along with numbness in the hand or wrist that radiates up the arm, is a common symptom of carpal tunnel syndrome. This condition occurs when the median nerve, which runs through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, becomes compressed. The compression can lead to symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and weakness in the hand and arm. Other conditions listed, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Bloch-Sulzberger Syndrome, and dystonia, do not typically present with these specific symptoms.

Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder that leads to the degeneration and death of neurons in the brain. It is caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene, which produces an abnormal form of the huntingtin protein. This protein builds up in the brain, causing damage to the cells and leading to the characteristic symptoms of the disease, including involuntary movements, cognitive decline, and psychiatric symptoms. Huntington's disease is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, meaning that a person with the mutated gene has a 50% chance of passing it on to their children.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects motor functions. The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease include tremors of the hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; stiff limbs; bradykinesia (slowness of movement); and impaired balance. Impaired cognition, which refers to difficulties with thinking, memory, and other cognitive functions, is not typically associated with Parkinson's disease.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition characterized by severe facial pain. The symptoms typically include extreme, intermittent facial pain in the jaw or cheek, tingling or numbness on one side of the face, and pain triggered by contact with the face or facial movements. However, inability to swallow is not a symptom commonly associated with trigeminal neuralgia.

Narcolepsy is a disorder characterized by the inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles. This means that individuals with narcolepsy have difficulty controlling when they fall asleep and wake up. They may experience excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable episodes of falling asleep during the day. This can greatly disrupt their daily activities and overall quality of life. It is important for individuals with narcolepsy to seek medical treatment and adopt lifestyle changes to manage their symptoms effectively.

The parasympathetic system is responsible for promoting rest, relaxation, and digestion in the body. It works in opposition to the sympathetic system, which is responsible for the fight-or-flight response. Therefore, the term "eat-drink-and-rest system" accurately describes the functions of the parasympathetic system. The other options, such as "fight-or-flight system" (which is associated with the sympathetic system) and "autonomic nervous system" (which encompasses both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems), are incorrect. The somatic nervous system, on the other hand, controls voluntary movements and is not related to the parasympathetic system.

Diagnostic tests for epilepsy typically include an EEG (electroencephalogram) to measure the electrical activity in the brain, a brain scan (such as an MRI or CT scan) to detect any abnormalities in the brain structure, and a Wada test to determine language and memory functions in the brain. A simple blood test is not typically used as a diagnostic tool for epilepsy, as it does not directly measure brain activity or detect any specific markers for the condition.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is not typically used as a treatment for epilepsy. It is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors, and it may be helpful for managing anxiety or depression that can be associated with epilepsy, but it is not a primary treatment for reducing seizures. The other options listed (antiepileptic drugs, vagus-nerve stimulation, and surgery) are commonly used treatments for epilepsy.

The somatic system would be active when a person is sleeping. The somatic system controls voluntary movements and actions, such as turning over in bed or adjusting the pillow. During sleep, the body may still make these voluntary movements, even though the person is not consciously aware of them. The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, on the other hand, control involuntary functions and are generally less active during sleep. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which are involved in both voluntary and involuntary processes.

Functional disorders are disorders that occur when there is a disturbance in the normal functioning of a bodily system, in this case, the nervous system. These disorders are characterized by abnormal or impaired functioning of the nerves, which can lead to problems with nerve impulse generation and transmission. Therefore, functional disorder is the correct answer for disorders caused due to disturbance in nerve impulse generation and transmission.

Paralysis is a condition characterized by the loss of muscle function in part of the body. Vascular disorder refers to any condition that affects the blood vessels, including blockages or damage that can lead to reduced blood flow. In the case of paralysis, it can be caused by a disruption in blood supply to the affected area, such as a stroke or blood clot. Therefore, paralysis is classified as a vascular disorder.