Psychotic disorders: neurodevelopmental hypothesis evidence: 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 · Psychotic disorders: neurodevelopmental hypothesis evidence

Sample item

Post-mortem studies of patients with schizophrenia show reduced cortical and hippocampal volume. Which accompanying finding best supports a neurodevelopmental rather than a degenerative origin?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Absence of reactive gliosis in the affected regions

Neurodegeneration in the adult brain is followed by gliosis. Schizophrenia usually shows structural change without gliosis, which suggests that the abnormality arose early, during brain development, before the glial scar response was possible.

Option by option

  • A. Neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus

    Neurofibrillary tangles are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease.

  • B. Prominent reactive gliosis around lost neurons

    Gliosis would favour a degenerative process, which is the opposite of the schizophrenia finding.

  • C. Lewy bodies in the cortex

    Lewy bodies are characteristic of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson disease.

  • D. Absence of reactive gliosis in the affected regions (correct)

    Correct. Lack of gliosis points to an early developmental disturbance rather than later neuronal loss.

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 D, Absence of reactive gliosis in the affected regions. Neurodegeneration in the adult brain is followed by gliosis.

Why is "Neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus" not the answer?

Neurofibrillary tangles are a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease.

Why is "Prominent reactive gliosis around lost neurons" not the answer?

Gliosis would favour a degenerative process, which is the opposite of the schizophrenia finding.

Why is "Lewy bodies in the cortex" not the answer?

Lewy bodies are characteristic of Lewy body dementia and Parkinson disease.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: neurodevelopmental hypothesis evidence in Psychiatry. Schizophrenia usually shows structural change without gliosis, which suggests that the abnormality arose early, during brain development, before the glial scar response was possible.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. 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 Psychotic disorders: neurodevelopmental hypothesis evidence?

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.