Toxicology: lathyrism: practice question

A Forensic Medicine 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.

Try it

Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: lathyrism

Sample item

During a drought, labourers in a village eat khesari dal for months and develop gradual spastic weakness of both legs with normal sensation. What is the causative toxin?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Beta-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine (BOAA, also called ODAP), an excitatory amino acid

Neurolathyrism follows prolonged heavy consumption of Lathyrus sativus, and the toxin BOAA acts as an excitotoxin on motor pathways, causing spastic paraparesis without sensory loss. Prevention consists of dietary diversification and detoxifying the dal by soaking and parboiling.

Option by option

  • A. Beta-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine (BOAA, also called ODAP), an excitatory amino acid (correct)

    Correct. BOAA is the neurotoxin of Lathyrus sativus.

  • B. Sanguinarine from Argemone oil

    Sanguinarine causes epidemic dropsy and glaucoma.

  • C. Aflatoxin produced by fungal contamination

    Aflatoxin causes liver injury and cancer.

  • D. Ergotamine from contaminated millet

    Ergot causes vasospastic gangrene and convulsions, not spastic paraparesis.

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 Forensic Medicine questions

Questions about this Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is A, Beta-N-oxalyl-amino-L-alanine (BOAA, also called ODAP), an excitatory amino acid. Neurolathyrism follows prolonged heavy consumption of Lathyrus sativus, and the toxin BOAA acts as an excitotoxin on motor pathways, causing spastic paraparesis without sensory loss.

Why is "Sanguinarine from Argemone oil" not the answer?

Sanguinarine causes epidemic dropsy and glaucoma.

Why is "Aflatoxin produced by fungal contamination" not the answer?

Aflatoxin causes liver injury and cancer.

Why is "Ergotamine from contaminated millet" not the answer?

Ergot causes vasospastic gangrene and convulsions, not spastic paraparesis.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: lathyrism in Forensic Medicine. Prevention consists of dietary diversification and detoxifying the dal by soaking and parboiling.

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 Toxicology: lathyrism?

Learn postmortem changes with their timelines, and toxicology as poison, sign, test and antidote. Then use the flashcards and the other Forensic Medicine 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.