Neuropathology Practice Questions

Q: What type of inclusion bodies are seen in progressive myoclonic epilepsy?

Lafora bodies. **Explanation:** **Lafora bodies** are the hallmark pathological finding in **Lafora Disease**, a severe form of autosomal recessive **progressive myoclonic epilepsy**. These are round, eosinophilic, PAS-positive cytoplasmic inclusion bodies composed of **polyglucosans** (abnormal glycogen polymers). They are typically found in the neurons of the cerebral cortex, thalamus, and brainstem, but can also be identified in sweat gland duct cells via skin biopsy, making it a high-yield diagnostic tool. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Buschino bodies:** These are not a recognized entity in neuropathology; this is likely a distractor. (Note: *Bunina bodies* are eosinophilic inclusions seen in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). * **Lewy bodies:** These are alpha-synuclein inclusions found in the substantia nigra in **Parkinson’s disease** and cortical neurons in **Lewy Body Dementia**. * **Hirano bodies:** These are actin-rich, eosinophilic, rod-like inclusions found primarily in the hippocampus of patients with **Alzheimer’s disease** and normal aging. **Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Lafora Disease Presentation:** Characterized by the triad of myoclonus, rapidly progressive dementia, and seizures, typically starting in adolescence. * **Genetics:** Mutations in *EPM2A* (laforin) or *EPM2B* (malin) genes. * **Diagnostic Tip:** If a question mentions "PAS-positive inclusions in a skin biopsy" for a patient with seizures, the answer is almost always Lafora bodies. * **Other Polyglucosan Bodies:** Corpora amylacea (seen in aging brains) are also polyglucosan bodies but are extracellular and lack the clinical severity of Lafora bodies.

Question 1

Which of the following is not seen in CNS involvement in Wilson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Inclusion bodies

Answer

Perivascular giant cell

Answer

Vacuolar degeneration of posterior column

Answer

Microglial nodule formation

Question 2

Which of the following tumors causes polycythemia due to increased erythropoietin production?

Accepted Answer

Cerebellar hemangioblastoma

Answer

Medulloblastoma

Answer

Ependymoma

Answer

Oligodendroglioma

Question 3

Amyloid present in cerebral lesions of Alzheimer's disease is which type?

Accepted Answer

Ab

Answer

L

Answer

AA

Answer

b-microglobulin

Question 4

A 42-year-old man presents with worsening involuntary jerky movements, depression, and progressive dementia. He dies within several years, and autopsy reveals bilateral atrophy of the caudate nuclei. What is the basic abnormality involved in this individual's disease process?

Accepted Answer

Triple repeat mutation

Answer

Acquired enzyme deficiency

Answer

Slow virus infection

Answer

DNA repair defect

Question 5

What type of inclusion bodies are seen in progressive myoclonic epilepsy?

Accepted Answer

Lafora bodies

Answer

Buschino bodies

Answer

Lewy bodies

Answer

Hirano bodies

Question 6

What is true about meningiomas?

Accepted Answer

95% cure rate following treatment

Answer

More common in men

Answer

50% are malignant

Answer

Arise from the arachnoid layer

Question 7

Which area of the brain most commonly undergoes atrophy in Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Temporoparietal

Answer

Parieto-occipital

Answer

Frontoparietal

Answer

Temporo-occipital

Question 8

Which protein is primarily associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Apolipoprotein E gene

Answer

Presenilin II

Answer

Amyloid precursor protein

Answer

All of the above

Question 9

An immunocompromised person presents with a history of seizures and an MRI revealing a temporal lobe lesion. Brain biopsy results showed multinucleated giant cells with intranuclear inclusions. What is the most probable cause of the lesion?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex virus

Answer

Hepatitis C virus

Answer

Listeria monocytogenes

Answer

Coxsackievirus

Question 10

A man presents with multiple painless swellings all over the body and coffee-brown patches on his trunk. What is the likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Multiple neurofibromas

Answer

Multiple lipomas

Answer

Melanoma

Answer

Sebaceous cysts

Neuropathology — MCQs

Neuropathology — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?