Neurologists Exam Neurologists Exam Neurodegenerative & Movement Disorders 2

Question 1

Which cognitive domain is characteristically impaired earliest in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Episodic memory (short-term recall)

Answer

Alzheimer's disease typically begins with episodic memory impairment reflecting early hippocampal and entorhinal cortex involvement.

Question 2

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is distinguished from Alzheimer's disease by which early clinical feature?

Accepted Answer

Prominent personality and behavioral changes

Answer

FTD primarily affects frontal and temporal lobes causing early behavioral disinhibition, apathy, and personality change before significant memory loss.

Question 3

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is best characterized by which unique clinical finding?

Accepted Answer

Vertical gaze palsy (downgaze) and falls

Answer

PSP classically presents with vertical supranuclear gaze palsy (especially downgaze), axial rigidity, and early falls backward.

Question 4

Cerebellar ataxia, polyneuropathy, and autonomic failure occurring together in a middle-aged adult most suggests which condition?

Accepted Answer

Multiple system atrophy (MSA-C)

Answer

MSA-C combines cerebellar ataxia with autonomic failure (orthostatic hypotension, bladder dysfunction) reflecting combined olivopontocerebellar and autonomic degeneration.

Question 5

Which treatment is FDA-approved specifically for chorea in Huntington's disease?

Accepted Answer

Tetrabenazine (or deutetrabenazine)

Answer

Tetrabenazine (and its deuterated form deutetrabenazine) deplete presynaptic monoamines by inhibiting VMAT2, reducing choreiform movements in HD.

Neurologists Exam Practice Test

Neurologists Exam Practice Test

Neurologists Exam Neurologists Exam Neurodegenerative & Movement Disorders 2