Mood disorders: post-stroke depression: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Mood disorders: post-stroke depression

Sample item

Depression after stroke is classically associated with the lesion being located in the

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Left frontal lobe or left basal ganglia

Post-stroke depression is most frequent with left anterior lesions, particularly left frontal cortex and left basal ganglia, and risk is greater the closer the lesion is to the frontal pole. It is common, affecting up to a third of survivors, and worsens recovery. SSRIs are used as treatment.

Option by option

  • A. Right occipital lobe

    Occipital lesions are not specifically linked to depression.

  • B. Cerebellar vermis

    Cerebellar lesions cause ataxia and cognitive affective syndrome, not classically post-stroke depression.

  • C. Left frontal lobe or left basal ganglia (correct)

    Correct. Left frontal and left basal ganglia strokes carry the highest depression risk.

  • D. Right parietal lobe

    Right parietal lesions lead to neglect and anosognosia.

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.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is C, Left frontal lobe or left basal ganglia. Post-stroke depression is most frequent with left anterior lesions, particularly left frontal cortex and left basal ganglia, and risk is greater the closer the lesion is to the frontal pole.

Why is "Right occipital lobe" not the answer?

Occipital lesions are not specifically linked to depression.

Why is "Cerebellar vermis" not the answer?

Cerebellar lesions cause ataxia and cognitive affective syndrome, not classically post-stroke depression.

Why is "Right parietal lobe" not the answer?

Right parietal lesions lead to neglect and anosognosia.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Mood disorders: post-stroke depression in Psychiatry. It is common, affecting up to a third of survivors, and worsens recovery. SSRIs are used as treatment.

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 Mood disorders: post-stroke depression?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.