Parkinson's Disease: Definition, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Question 1

The defining neuropathological feature of Parkinson's disease is the presence of:

Accepted Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Alpha-synuclein aggregates

Answer

Tau tangles

Answer

Beta-amyloid plaques

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT considered a risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Exercise

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Family history

Answer

Head injury

Question 3

The Hoehn and Yahr scale is primarily used to assess:

Accepted Answer

Disease severity

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Motor function

Answer

Response to treatment

Question 4

Levodopa is considered a mainstay medication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease because it:

Accepted Answer

Replenishes dopamine levels in the brain

Answer

Inhibits the breakdown of dopamine

Answer

Stimulates the release of dopamine

Answer

Protects against neurodegeneration

Question 5

A patient with Parkinson's disease receiving levodopa therapy experiences sudden hallucinations and agitation. This is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

Levodopa overdose

Answer

Infectious process

Answer

Neuroleptic withdrawal

Answer

Depression

Question 6

Which surgical procedure is typically considered in the later stages of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Answer

Pallidotomy

Answer

Vagotomy

Answer

Colectomy

Question 7

The cornerstone for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease remains:

Accepted Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Neuroimaging

Answer

Genetic testing

Answer

Electrophysiology

Question 8

Which of the following is a hallmark motor symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Ataxia

Answer

Dystonia

Answer

Spasticity

Question 9

The defining pathological characteristic of Parkinson's disease is the presence of:

Accepted Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Alzheimer's plaques

Answer

Tau tangles

Answer

Huntington bodies

Question 10

Which neurotransmitter deficiency is the primary culprit in the progression of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Epinephrine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Question 11

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure primarily employed to alleviate:

Accepted Answer

Motor symptoms

Answer

Cognitive impairments

Answer

Mood disorders

Answer

Sleep disturbances

Question 12

Which of the following is considered an unlikely risk factor for developing Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

High caffeine intake

Answer

Age

Answer

Family history

Answer

Exposure to pesticides

Question 13

The term used to describe the constellation of motor and non-motor symptoms that precede the onset of overt Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Prodromal Parkinsonism

Answer

Premotor Parkinsonism

Answer

Preclinical Parkinsonism

Answer

Subclinical Parkinsonism

Question 14

The primary basis for diagnosing Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Clinical examination

Answer

Neuroimaging studies

Answer

Biomarker analysis

Answer

Genetic testing

Question 15

The primary neurotransmitter deficiency associated with Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 16

The primary diagnostic method for Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Clinical examination by a neurologist

Answer

Brain biopsy

Answer

Neuroimaging (MRI/CT)

Answer

Genetic testing

Question 17

A first-line pharmacological treatment option for Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Carbidopa-levodopa

Answer

Pramipexole

Answer

Ropinirole

Answer

Amantadine

Question 18

A non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Tremor

Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Rigidity

Question 19

The Hoehn and Yahr scale is used to:

Accepted Answer

Assess motor function and disease severity

Answer

Measure cognitive impairment

Answer

Monitor disease progression

Answer

Predict treatment response

Question 20

The Lewy bodies characteristic of Parkinson's disease primarily contain:

Accepted Answer

Alpha-synuclein

Answer

Beta-amyloid

Answer

Tau protein

Answer

TDP-43

Question 21

Identify the primary neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's Disease:

Accepted Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Tau tangles

Answer

Beta-amyloid plaques

Answer

Neuritic plaques

Question 22

Which neurotransmitter is primarily depleted in Parkinson's Disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Serotonin

Question 23

Which clinical scale is used to assess the severity of Parkinson's Disease?

Accepted Answer

Hoehn and Yahr scale

Answer

Hamilton Depression Rating Scale

Answer

Mini-Mental State Examination

Answer

Montreal Cognitive Assessment

Question 24

Identify the first-line pharmacological treatment for Parkinson's Disease:

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Carbidopa

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Pramipexole

Question 25

What is the typical age of onset for Parkinson's Disease?

Accepted Answer

60-80 years

Answer

20-30 years

Answer

40-60 years

Answer

Over 80 years

Question 26

Which of the following is the cardinal motor symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Akinesia and bradykinesia

Answer

Resting tremor

Answer

Muscle rigidity

Answer

Postural instability

Question 27

What is the primary neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Amyloid plaques

Answer

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Senile plaques

Question 28

Which neurotransmitter deficiency underlies the motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Glutamate

Question 29

What is the primary purpose of the Hoehn and Yahr scale?

Accepted Answer

Staging the severity of Parkinson's disease

Answer

Diagnosing Parkinson's disease

Answer

Monitoring the response to treatment

Answer

Assessing cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

Question 30

What is the primary mechanism of action of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of neuronal firing in the basal ganglia

Answer

Stimulation of neuronal firing in the thalamus

Answer

Blocking the reuptake of dopamine

Answer

Increasing the release of glutamate

Question 31

What is the most typical age range for the onset of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

60s-70s

Answer

20s-30s

Answer

40s-50s

Answer

80s-90s

Question 32

Which of the following statements best describes the typical disease progression of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Progressive decline with a typical survival of 15-20 years

Answer

Progressive decline with a typical survival of 5-10 years

Answer

Stable course with minimal disability

Answer

Remission of symptoms after several years

Question 33

Levodopa is a common treatment for Parkinson's disease. Which of these is a potential side effect of this medication?

Accepted Answer

Dyskinesia

Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Tremor

Question 34

Which of the following is a defining pathological feature of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Aggregation of alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies

Answer

Loss of cholinergic neurons in the substantia nigra

Answer

Inflammation in the putamen

Answer

Degeneration of pyramidal cells in the motor cortex

Question 35

Which symptom complex is characteristic of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia, resting tremor, rigidity, and postural instability

Answer

Hyperkinesia, akinesia, tremors, and dystonia

Answer

Aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, and alexia

Answer

Ataxia, nystagmus, dysmetria, and intention tremor

Question 36

Which medication is considered first-line therapy for Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Carbidopa

Answer

Pramipexole

Answer

Ropinirole

Question 37

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

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Question 38

What is the main objective of rehabilitation in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

To enhance motor function and reduce disability

Answer

To prevent cognitive decline

Answer

To alleviate pain

Answer

To prolong life expectancy

Question 39

Which potential complication is associated with long-term levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dyskinesias

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Answer

Orthostatic hypotension

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 40

Explain the genetic basis of Parkinson's disease, distinguishing between inherited and sporadic forms.

Accepted Answer

Inherited forms of Parkinson's disease involve mutations in genes related to dopamine production and metabolism.

Answer

Only sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease have a genetic basis.

Answer

Sporadic forms of Parkinson's disease are solely caused by environmental factors.

Answer

Only a small fraction of Parkinson's disease cases have a genetic basis.

Question 41

In caring for patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, what ethical principle is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Respecting patient autonomy and preferences

Answer

Prioritizing disease-modifying treatments

Answer

Withholding palliative care for aggressive treatment

Answer

Disclosing all treatment options without considering patient values

Question 42

What is a defining characteristic of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia (slowness of movement)

Answer

Chorea (involuntary, purposeless movements)

Answer

Ataxia (impaired coordination)

Answer

Myoclonus (sudden, involuntary muscle contractions)

Question 43

Identify the cardinal motor symptom of Parkinson's disease:

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Nystagmus

Answer

Dysphagia

Answer

Aphasia

Question 44

Which of these is NOT a classic symptom of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Lack of coordination (ataxia)

Answer

Slowed movements (bradykinesia)

Answer

Resting tremor

Answer

Increased muscle stiffness (rigidity)

Question 45

A 65-year-old man presents with resting tremor, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and stiffness (rigidity) in his limbs. These symptoms improve significantly with levodopa/carbidopa treatment. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Essential tremor

Answer

Multiple system atrophy

Answer

Drug-induced parkinsonism

Question 46

What is the characteristic neuropathological finding in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta

Answer

Beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Widespread neuronal loss in the cerebral cortex

Answer

Demyelination of the peripheral nervous system

Question 47

A patient with Parkinson's disease experiences significant fluctuations in their motor symptoms, including periods of 'on' and 'off' states, despite medication adjustments. Which of the following treatment options would be most appropriate to consider?

Accepted Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Answer

Switching to a different dopamine agonist

Answer

Increasing the dose of levodopa

Answer

Discontinuing all medications

Question 48

Which of the following is a common non-motor symptom experienced by individuals with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Increased sweating

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Frequent urination

Question 49

Which of the following medications is a dopamine agonist commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Pramipexole

Answer

Selegiline

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Benztropine

Question 50

What is the primary mechanism of action of levodopa in treating Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Conversion to dopamine in the brain

Answer

Enhancement of dopamine release

Answer

Direct stimulation of dopamine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine breakdown

Question 51

Which of the following is a potential long-term side effect of levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dyskinesias

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia

Answer

Akathisia

Answer

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Question 52

The Hoehn and Yahr scale is commonly used to assess which aspect of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Disease severity and progression

Answer

Sleep quality

Answer

Mood disturbances

Answer

Cognitive impairment

Question 53

Which statement accurately reflects the prognosis of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure.

Answer

Most patients experience a rapid decline in function within a few years of diagnosis.

Answer

Medications can completely halt the progression of the disease.

Question 54

Which of the following genetic mutations is linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

LRRK2

Answer

HTT

Answer

APOE4

Answer

PSEN1