Nutrition: lathyrism: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Nutrition: lathyrism

Sample item

Adult men in a village in central India who have eaten mainly khesari dal for several months develop an abrupt, painless spastic weakness of both legs, with preserved sensation. Which toxin is responsible?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine (BOAA)

Lathyrus sativus (khesari dal) contains the neurotoxic amino acid BOAA (also called ODAP), which damages upper motor neurons and causes a spastic paraparesis, usually after months of heavy consumption during scarcity. Sensation is preserved. There is no cure, so prevention by dietary diversification is the main strategy.

Option by option

  • A. Aflatoxin

    Aflatoxin from contaminated grain causes liver disease and cancer.

  • B. Sanguinarine

    Sanguinarine from argemone oil causes epidemic dropsy, with oedema and diarrhoea.

  • C. Hypoglycin

    Hypoglycin in unripe ackee fruit causes severe hypoglycaemia and vomiting.

  • D. Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine (BOAA) (correct)

    BOAA in khesari dal produces irreversible 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 PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is D, Beta-oxalyl-amino-alanine (BOAA). Lathyrus sativus (khesari dal) contains the neurotoxic amino acid BOAA (also called ODAP), which damages upper motor neurons and causes a spastic paraparesis, usually after months of heavy consumption during scarcity.

Why is "Aflatoxin" not the answer?

Aflatoxin from contaminated grain causes liver disease and cancer.

Why is "Sanguinarine" not the answer?

Sanguinarine from argemone oil causes epidemic dropsy, with oedema and diarrhoea.

Why is "Hypoglycin" not the answer?

Hypoglycin in unripe ackee fruit causes severe hypoglycaemia and vomiting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Nutrition: lathyrism in PSM. Sensation is preserved. There is no cure, so prevention by dietary diversification is the main strategy.

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 Nutrition: lathyrism?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.