Parkinson's Trivia 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which famous boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984?
- Sugar Ray Leonard
- Muhammad Ali (Correct answer)
- Joe Frazier
- George Foreman
Correct answer: Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984, three years after retiring from boxing.
Question 2: What is the name of the protein that abnormally clumps in the brains of Parkinson's patients?
- Tau
- Amyloid-beta
- Alpha-synuclein (Correct answer)
- TDP-43
Correct answer: Alpha-synuclein
Alpha-synuclein misfolds and aggregates into Lewy bodies, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease pathology.
Question 3: In which decade was the drug levodopa first introduced as a treatment for Parkinson's disease?
- 1950s
- 1960s (Correct answer)
- 1970s
- 1980s
Correct answer: 1960s
Levodopa was introduced in the 1960s and remains the most effective medication for managing Parkinson's motor symptoms.
Question 4: What percentage of Parkinson's cases are estimated to be genetic in origin?
- About 5–10% (Correct answer)
- About 25%
- About 40%
- About 60%
Correct answer: About 5–10%
Approximately 5–10% of Parkinson's cases are linked to identified genetic mutations, while the majority are idiopathic.
Question 5: Which sense is commonly impaired years before motor symptoms appear in Parkinson's disease?
- Vision
- Hearing
- Smell (Correct answer)
- Taste
Correct answer: Smell
Loss of smell (hyposmia or anosmia) is a well-documented prodromal symptom that can precede motor symptoms by years.
Question 6: What does the acronym 'DBS' stand for in Parkinson's treatment?
- Dopamine Boosting System
- Deep Brain Stimulation (Correct answer)
- Direct Brain Surgery
- Dopaminergic Brain Signaling
Correct answer: Deep Brain Stimulation
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) involves implanting electrodes to deliver electrical impulses to targeted brain regions, reducing Parkinson's symptoms.
Question 7: Which country has the highest estimated prevalence of Parkinson's disease per capita?
- United States
- China
- Argentina
- Finland (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Finland
Nordic countries, particularly Finland, show among the highest prevalence rates of Parkinson's disease globally, though exact rankings vary by study.
Parkinson's Trivia 2
Which famous boxer was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1984?