Psychotic disorders: smooth pursuit eye movements: 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 · Psychotic disorders: smooth pursuit eye movements

Sample item

A research team studies oculomotor tasks as a possible endophenotype of schizophrenia. Patients and some of their unaffected first-degree relatives are asked to follow a slowly moving target with their eyes. Which finding is typically reported?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Impaired smooth pursuit with catch-up saccades

Abnormal smooth pursuit eye tracking is found in a large proportion of patients with schizophrenia and in some unaffected relatives, so it is considered a trait marker. It is not specific to schizophrenia, but it supports a genetic contribution to the disorder.

Option by option

  • A. Internuclear ophthalmoplegia

    Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is a brainstem lesion of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, as seen in multiple sclerosis.

  • B. Impaired smooth pursuit with catch-up saccades (correct)

    Correct. Disrupted tracking with intrusive saccades is the replicated finding.

  • C. Nystagmus on lateral gaze

    Gaze-evoked nystagmus suggests a cerebellar or brainstem lesion and is not the described marker.

  • D. Complete loss of voluntary gaze

    Voluntary gaze is not lost; the abnormality lies in tracking a moving target.

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 B, Impaired smooth pursuit with catch-up saccades. Abnormal smooth pursuit eye tracking is found in a large proportion of patients with schizophrenia and in some unaffected relatives, so it is considered a trait marker.

Why is "Internuclear ophthalmoplegia" not the answer?

Internuclear ophthalmoplegia is a brainstem lesion of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, as seen in multiple sclerosis.

Why is "Nystagmus on lateral gaze" not the answer?

Gaze-evoked nystagmus suggests a cerebellar or brainstem lesion and is not the described marker.

Why is "Complete loss of voluntary gaze" not the answer?

Voluntary gaze is not lost; the abnormality lies in tracking a moving target.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychotic disorders: smooth pursuit eye movements in Psychiatry. It is not specific to schizophrenia, but it supports a genetic contribution to the disorder.

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 Psychotic disorders: smooth pursuit eye movements?

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.