OCD: neurobiology: 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 · OCD: neurobiology

Sample item

A 9-year-old boy suddenly develops severe obsessions and tics after a streptococcal throat infection. This association is termed:

ASydenham chorea onlyBPANDASCTourette syndrome, always unrelated to infectionDRett syndrome

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. PANDAS

PANDAS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection) describes abrupt onset OCD or tics after group A streptococcal infection. Functional imaging in OCD generally shows overactivity of the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate and caudate.

Option by option

A. Sydenham chorea only
Sydenham chorea is a manifestation of rheumatic fever with choreiform movements.
B. PANDAS (correct)
Correct. Abrupt OCD or tics after streptococcal infection is PANDAS.
C. Tourette syndrome, always unrelated to infection
Tourette syndrome is not defined by an infective trigger.
D. Rett syndrome
Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder in girls with developmental regression.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, PANDAS. PANDAS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infection) describes abrupt onset OCD or tics after group A streptococcal infection.

Why is "Sydenham chorea only" not the answer?

Sydenham chorea is a manifestation of rheumatic fever with choreiform movements.

Why is "Tourette syndrome, always unrelated to infection" not the answer?

Tourette syndrome is not defined by an infective trigger.

Why is "Rett syndrome" not the answer?

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder in girls with developmental regression.

What concept does this question test?

It tests OCD: neurobiology in Psychiatry. Functional imaging in OCD generally shows overactivity of the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate and caudate.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 OCD: neurobiology?

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.