Dementia: Memory Loss and Cognitive Decline - Neuroscience for Doctors

Question 1

What is the most prevalent type of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Question 2

Which neurotransmitter system is primarily affected in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Question 3

What is the definitive diagnostic method for dementia?

Accepted Answer

Definitive histological diagnosis

Answer

Neurological examination

Answer

Neuropsychological testing

Answer

Brain imaging (MRI or CT scan)

Question 4

Which type of dementia is characterized by fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and parkinsonism?

Accepted Answer

Lewy body dementia

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Question 5

What is the primary pharmacological treatment goal in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Slowing disease progression

Answer

Curing the disease

Answer

Reversing cognitive impairment

Answer

Improving overall well-being

Question 6

Define dementia and describe its key clinical features.

Accepted Answer

Dementia is a progressive decline in multiple cognitive areas, primarily affecting memory, attention, and executive function.

Answer

Dementia is solely characterized by memory loss, often accompanied by confusion and disorientation.

Answer

Dementia is a temporary cognitive impairment that usually resolves within a short period.

Question 7

In Alzheimer's disease, which molecular mechanism is central to its development?

Accepted Answer

Aggregation of amyloid-beta plaques

Answer

Impaired mitochondrial function

Answer

Chronic neuroinflammation

Answer

Synaptic loss and neuronal damage

Question 8

Which of the following is **NOT** a risk factor for developing dementia?

Accepted Answer

Regular physical exercise

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Family history

Answer

Hypertension

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Question 10

The predominant motor symptom associated with Parkinson's disease is:

Accepted Answer

Bradykinesia

Answer

Dystonia

Answer

Tremor

Answer

Rigidity

Question 11

Which neurotransmitter system is primarily **impacted** in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic

Answer

Serotonergic

Answer

Noradrenergic

Answer

GABAergic

Question 12

The Lewy body is a pathological hallmark of which neurodegenerative disorder?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Huntington's disease

Question 13

What is the overarching goal of interdisciplinary care in dementia management?

Accepted Answer

Improving quality of life

Answer

Symptom management

Answer

Cognitive rehabilitation

Answer

Preventing disease progression

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Regular participation in high-intensity exercise

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Family history of Alzheimer's disease

Answer

History of cardiovascular disease

Question 15

In Parkinson's disease, the neurotransmitter system that is predominantly affected is:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Serotonin

Question 16

Which of the following medications is NOT typically used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Donepezil

Answer

Rivastigmine

Answer

Memantine

Question 17

Which type of dementia is the most prevalent?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Question 18

What is the primary neurotransmitter deficiency observed in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Glutamate

Question 19

What is a diagnostic criterion for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?

Accepted Answer

Impaired memory function relative to age and education level

Answer

Difficulty with instrumental activities of daily living

Answer

Significant impairment in social or occupational functioning

Answer

Hallucinations

Question 20

Which of the following non-pharmacological interventions is beneficial for managing behavioral symptoms in dementia?

Accepted Answer

Music therapy

Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Question 21

What is the primary goal of early detection and diagnosis of dementia?

Accepted Answer

To initiate timely treatment and interventions

Answer

To provide emotional support to the patient and family

Answer

To reduce the burden of care on healthcare systems

Answer

To improve the quality of life for the patient

Question 22

Which of the following is a **definitive** neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Senile plaques

Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Granulovacuolar degeneration

Question 23

Which neurotransmitter system is primarily affected in Parkinson's disease, leading to its characteristic motor symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic

Answer

Cholinergic

Answer

Serotonergic

Answer

GABAergic

Question 24

The most common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease is the:

Accepted Answer

APOE-ε4 allele

Answer

MAPT mutation

Answer

PSEN1 mutation

Answer

APP mutation

Question 25

According to the DSM-5, a core diagnostic criterion for dementia is:

Accepted Answer

Cognitive decline in multiple domains

Answer

Impairment in social or occupational functioning

Answer

Neuroimaging evidence of brain atrophy

Answer

Absence of delirium

Question 26

The primary pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease aims to:

Accepted Answer

Inhibit acetylcholinesterase

Answer

Block N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors

Answer

Inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAO)

Answer

Stimulate dopamine receptors

Question 27

The characteristic imaging finding in vascular dementia is:

Accepted Answer

White matter hyperintensities

Answer

Lacunar infarcts

Answer

Cortical atrophy

Answer

Hippocampal sclerosis

Question 28

Which neurotransmitter system is primarily affected in Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopaminergic

Answer

Cholinergic

Answer

GABAergic

Answer

Serotonergic

Question 29

The cholinesterase inhibitors are commonly used to treat dementia. Their primary mechanism of action is to:

Accepted Answer

Increase acetylcholine levels

Answer

Decrease glutamate levels

Answer

Block NMDA receptors

Answer

Stimulate dopamine release

Question 30

The presence of Lewy bodies is a characteristic feature of which type of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Answer

Vascular dementia

Question 31

In the management of dementia, which non-drug approach is commonly used to address delusions and hallucinations?

Accepted Answer

Reality orientation therapy

Answer

Cognitive stimulation therapy

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer

Sensory deprivation

Question 32

Which of the following statements best describes the significance of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in assessing dementia risk?

Accepted Answer

MCI may represent the earliest detectable stage of dementia.

Answer

MCI is a definite precursor to severe cognitive decline.

Answer

MCI only leads to Alzheimer's disease.

Question 33

Which of the following is a primary motor symptom characteristically observed in the clinical presentation of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Resting tremor

Answer

Memory loss

Answer

Aphasia

Answer

Visual hallucinations

Question 34

Which of the following is a characteristic clinical feature of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Memory loss mainly affecting recent events

Answer

Visual hallucinations

Answer

Rigidity and slow movement

Question 35

Which type of dementia is the most prevalent, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Question 36

What are the hallmark neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Synuclein inclusions only

Answer

Tau tangles only

Answer

Lewy bodies

Question 37

Which diagnostic criterion is essential for a diagnosis of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive decline that significantly interferes with daily activities

Answer

Behavioral changes only

Answer

Memory loss alone

Answer

Impaired judgment and reasoning

Question 38

What class of medication is typically used as the first-line pharmacological treatment for Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Antidepressants

Answer

Memantine

Question 39

Which non-pharmacological intervention has been shown to improve cognitive function and reduce behavioral symptoms in individuals with dementia?

Accepted Answer

Cognitive stimulation therapy

Answer

Electroconvulsive therapy

Answer

Deep brain stimulation

Answer

Vagus nerve stimulation

Question 40

What is a defining characteristic of Lewy body dementia?

Accepted Answer

Fluctuating cognition, hallucinations, and parkinsonism

Answer

Prominent apraxia and agnosia

Answer

Severe memory loss and language impairment

Answer

Predominant frontal lobe dysfunction

Question 41

Which type of dementia is characterized by disinhibition, inappropriate behavior, and executive dysfunction?

Accepted Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Question 42

Which progressive movement disorder is commonly associated with the development of dementia?

Accepted Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Answer

Myasthenia gravis

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Question 43

What is a primary role of neuroimaging in dementia diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

To differentiate between different types of dementia and rule out other conditions

Answer

To predict the rate of cognitive decline

Answer

To confirm a diagnosis of dementia alone

Answer

To monitor response to treatment

Question 44

**Which of the following neuropathological features is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease?**

Accepted Answer

Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles

Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Bunina bodies

Answer

Tau tangles

Question 45

**What is the most common cause of dementia worldwide?**

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Vascular dementia

Answer

Lewy body dementia

Answer

Frontotemporal dementia

Question 46

**Which of the following is NOT a modifiable risk factor for developing dementia?**

Accepted Answer

Advanced age

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Smoking

Answer

Obesity

Question 47

**What neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in Parkinson's disease?**

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 48

**Which of the following is a hallmark symptom of frontotemporal dementia?**

Accepted Answer

Behavioral disinhibition and personality changes

Answer

Parkinsonian symptoms

Answer

Memory loss

Answer

Language impairment

Question 49

**What is the primary purpose of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in dementia diagnosis?**

Accepted Answer

Screening tool for cognitive impairment

Answer

Predictor of dementia progression

Answer

Diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Treatment planning guide

Question 50

**Which of the following pharmacological agents is used to treat Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase?**

Accepted Answer

Cholinesterase inhibitors

Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Beta-blockers

Question 51

**What is the primary goal of non-pharmacological interventions for dementia?**

Accepted Answer

Preserving function and enhancing quality of life

Answer

Curing the underlying cause

Answer

Reversing cognitive decline

Answer

Preventing disease progression

Question 52

**Which of the following ethical principles is crucial in the care of dementia patients?**

Accepted Answer

Respecting patient autonomy

Answer

Using restraints for safety

Answer

Enforcing legal guardianship

Answer

Withholding life-sustaining treatment

Question 53

**What is the primary role of caregivers in dementia management?**

Accepted Answer

Providing support, assistance, and being advocates for the person with dementia

Answer

Making medical decisions

Answer

Conducting diagnostic tests

Answer

Administering medications