Organic psychiatry: Lewy body versus Parkinson dementia: 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 · Organic psychiatry: Lewy body versus Parkinson dementia

Sample item

In the one-year rule for distinguishing dementia with Lewy bodies from Parkinson disease dementia, a diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies is made when

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Dementia appears before or within one year of parkinsonism

If cognitive impairment precedes or begins within one year of parkinsonian motor symptoms, the diagnosis is dementia with Lewy bodies. If dementia develops after more than a year of established Parkinson disease, it is Parkinson disease dementia. The pathology is similar and the distinction is a convention.

Option by option

  • A. Motor signs never occur

    Parkinsonism occurs in both conditions.

  • B. Dementia appears five years after motor signs

    Dementia developing years later is Parkinson disease dementia.

  • C. Visual hallucinations are absent

    Visual hallucinations are typical of both and not absent.

  • D. Dementia appears before or within one year of parkinsonism (correct)

    Correct. Dementia within a year of motor signs is DLB.

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, Dementia appears before or within one year of parkinsonism. If cognitive impairment precedes or begins within one year of parkinsonian motor symptoms, the diagnosis is dementia with Lewy bodies.

Why is "Motor signs never occur" not the answer?

Parkinsonism occurs in both conditions.

Why is "Dementia appears five years after motor signs" not the answer?

Dementia developing years later is Parkinson disease dementia.

Why is "Visual hallucinations are absent" not the answer?

Visual hallucinations are typical of both and not absent.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Organic psychiatry: Lewy body versus Parkinson dementia in Psychiatry. If dementia develops after more than a year of established Parkinson disease, it is Parkinson disease dementia. The pathology is similar and the distinction is a convention.

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 Organic psychiatry: Lewy body versus Parkinson dementia?

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.