Neurodegenerative Diseases USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 71-year-old man with Parkinson disease presents with tremor at rest and bradykinesia. Vital signs show BP 138/82 mmHg, HR 68 bpm, RR 16, temp 37.2°C. He is started on combination therapy to improve motor symptoms. The physician explains that one component increases levodopa bioavailability by inhibiting peripheral conversion to dopamine, preventing nausea and reducing required levodopa dosing. No orthostatic hypotension is noted. Which drug provides this peripheral decarboxylase inhibition?
Answer choices
- ACarbidopaCorrect answer
- BSelegiline
- CAmantadine
- DMemantine
- EBromocriptine
- FEntacapone
See the full explanation
Get the correct-answer rationale, why each distractor is wrong, the underlying mechanism, and high-yield associations — plus adaptive practice that targets your weak areas — with a free MedBoardPRO account.