Neuro: neuromyelitis optica: practice question

A Ophthalmology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Ophthalmology · Neuro: neuromyelitis optica

Sample item

A young woman has severe bilateral optic neuritis, followed by longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis. Which antibody is diagnostic?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. Anti-aquaporin-4 IgG

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an astrocytopathy with aquaporin-4 antibodies, causing severe optic neuritis and long-segment myelitis. It needs different treatment from MS, with immunosuppression rather than interferon beta. Anti-MOG disease is a related entity.

Option by option

  • A. Anti-Hu

    Anti-Hu is paraneoplastic.

  • B. Anti-aquaporin-4 IgG (correct)

    Correct. AQP4 antibody is the diagnostic marker.

  • C. Anti-GAD

    Anti-GAD relates to stiff-person syndrome and diabetes.

  • D. Anti-acetylcholine receptor

    Anti-AChR antibodies are in myasthenia gravis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Ophthalmology questions

Questions about this Ophthalmology question

What is the answer to this Ophthalmology question?

The best answer is B, Anti-aquaporin-4 IgG. Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder is an astrocytopathy with aquaporin-4 antibodies, causing severe optic neuritis and long-segment myelitis.

Why is "Anti-Hu" not the answer?

Anti-Hu is paraneoplastic.

Why is "Anti-GAD" not the answer?

Anti-GAD relates to stiff-person syndrome and diabetes.

Why is "Anti-acetylcholine receptor" not the answer?

Anti-AChR antibodies are in myasthenia gravis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuro: neuromyelitis optica in Ophthalmology. It needs different treatment from MS, with immunosuppression rather than interferon beta. Anti-MOG disease is a related entity.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Neuro: neuromyelitis optica?

Group the red eye by what to examine and what the pupil does. Then use the flashcards and the other Ophthalmology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.