Neuroanatomy: cholinergic basal forebrain: 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.

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Anatomy · Neuroanatomy: cholinergic basal forebrain

Sample item

A 72-year-old woman has progressive memory loss and shows a modest response to an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Neuronal loss in which basal forebrain nucleus, the main source of cholinergic input to the cerebral cortex, is characteristic of her disease?

ADorsal raphe nucleusBSubstantia nigra pars compactaCNucleus basalis of MeynertDLocus coeruleus

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Nucleus basalis of Meynert

In Alzheimer disease the cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert degenerate, depriving the cortex and hippocampus of acetylcholine. This is the rationale for treating with cholinesterase inhibitors.

Option by option

A. Dorsal raphe nucleus
The dorsal raphe nucleus is a major serotonergic nucleus.
B. Substantia nigra pars compacta
The substantia nigra pars compacta supplies dopamine to the striatum.
C. Nucleus basalis of Meynert (correct)
Correct. The nucleus basalis provides most of the cholinergic innervation of the cortex.
D. Locus coeruleus
The locus coeruleus is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain.

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.

Questions about this Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is C, Nucleus basalis of Meynert. In Alzheimer disease the cholinergic neurons of the nucleus basalis of Meynert degenerate, depriving the cortex and hippocampus of acetylcholine.

Why is "Dorsal raphe nucleus" not the answer?

The dorsal raphe nucleus is a major serotonergic nucleus.

Why is "Substantia nigra pars compacta" not the answer?

The substantia nigra pars compacta supplies dopamine to the striatum.

Why is "Locus coeruleus" not the answer?

The locus coeruleus is the main noradrenergic nucleus of the brain.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Neuroanatomy: cholinergic basal forebrain in Anatomy. This is the rationale for treating with cholinesterase inhibitors.

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: cholinergic basal forebrain?

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.