Medical genetics: Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease: 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 · Medical genetics: Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease

Sample item

Adults with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer-type dementia early. Which gene on chromosome 21 contributes through its extra dosage?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. APP

The amyloid precursor protein gene lies on chromosome 21. The third copy in trisomy 21 raises amyloid-beta production and leads to early plaque deposition.

Option by option

  • A. PSEN1

    PSEN1 lies on chromosome 14.

  • B. APOE

    APOE lies on chromosome 19.

  • C. MAPT

    MAPT, encoding tau, lies on chromosome 17.

  • D. APP (correct)

    Correct. APP is located on chromosome 21.

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 Anatomy question

What is the answer to this Anatomy question?

The best answer is D, APP. The amyloid precursor protein gene lies on chromosome 21.

Why is "PSEN1" not the answer?

PSEN1 lies on chromosome 14.

Why is "APOE" not the answer?

APOE lies on chromosome 19.

Why is "MAPT" not the answer?

MAPT, encoding tau, lies on chromosome 17.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Medical genetics: Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease in Anatomy. The third copy in trisomy 21 raises amyloid-beta production and leads to early plaque deposition.

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 Medical genetics: Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease?

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.