Toxicology: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder: 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.

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Forensic Medicine · Toxicology: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Sample item

A 22-year-old who took LSD at a party has recurrent episodes over the next months of trails behind moving objects and halos, without taking any further drug. His insight is intact. What is this phenomenon called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, or flashbacks, is the recurrence of perceptual disturbances such as trails, halos and geometric patterns long after LSD use, with preserved insight. It may occur after a single exposure. It differs from a psychotic relapse because the person knows the experiences are drug-related.

Option by option

  • A. Amotivational syndrome

    Amotivational syndrome is a chronic cannabis-related state of apathy.

  • B. Delirium tremens

    Delirium tremens is a withdrawal state from alcohol with confusion and autonomic overactivity.

  • C. Korsakoff psychosis

    Korsakoff psychosis is amnesia from thiamine deficiency.

  • D. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (correct)

    Correct. Recurrent LSD-like visual disturbances without drug use define this disorder.

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 Forensic Medicine question

What is the answer to this Forensic Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, or flashbacks, is the recurrence of perceptual disturbances such as trails, halos and geometric patterns long after LSD use, with preserved insight.

Why is "Amotivational syndrome" not the answer?

Amotivational syndrome is a chronic cannabis-related state of apathy.

Why is "Delirium tremens" not the answer?

Delirium tremens is a withdrawal state from alcohol with confusion and autonomic overactivity.

Why is "Korsakoff psychosis" not the answer?

Korsakoff psychosis is amnesia from thiamine deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Toxicology: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder in Forensic Medicine. It may occur after a single exposure. It differs from a psychotic relapse because the person knows the experiences are drug-related.

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: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder?

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.