Neuroanatomy: nigrostriatal pathway: practice question

A Anatomy 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

Anatomy · Neuroanatomy: nigrostriatal pathway

Sample item

A 65-year-old man has resting tremor, bradykinesia and rigidity. Degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta primarily deprives which structure of its dopaminergic input?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen)

In Parkinson disease the dopaminergic neurons of the pars compacta project through the nigrostriatal pathway to the striatum, where dopamine excites the direct pathway through D1 receptors and inhibits the indirect pathway through D2 receptors. Loss of dopamine reduces cortical drive and causes hypokinesia.

Option by option

  • A. Globus pallidus internus

    The globus pallidus internus is an output nucleus that becomes overactive, not the main dopamine target.

  • B. Striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen) (correct)

    Correct. The nigrostriatal projection delivers dopamine to the caudate and putamen.

  • C. Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus

    The ventral lateral thalamus is underactive as a consequence, but does not receive the nigral dopamine.

  • D. Subthalamic nucleus

    The subthalamic nucleus becomes overactive and is the lesion site in hemiballismus.

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 Anatomy questions

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is B, Striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen). In Parkinson disease the dopaminergic neurons of the pars compacta project through the nigrostriatal pathway to the striatum, where dopamine excites the direct pathway through D1 receptors and inhibits the indirect pathway through D2 receptors.

Why is "Globus pallidus internus" not the answer?

The globus pallidus internus is an output nucleus that becomes overactive, not the main dopamine target.

Why is "Ventral lateral nucleus of the thalamus" not the answer?

The ventral lateral thalamus is underactive as a consequence, but does not receive the nigral dopamine.

Why is "Subthalamic nucleus" not the answer?

The subthalamic nucleus becomes overactive and is the lesion site in hemiballismus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: nigrostriatal pathway in Anatomy. Loss of dopamine reduces cortical drive and causes hypokinesia.

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 Neuroanatomy: nigrostriatal pathway?

Learn every nerve by its route, its muscles and what a lesion looks like at the bedside. That one habit answers a large share of questions. Then use the flashcards and the other Anatomy 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.