Neurodegenerative Diseases USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 69 year old man is brought by his wife because of progressive slowing of movement and a tremor in his right hand at rest. He has difficulty initiating gait and his handwriting has become very small. Examination shows cogwheel rigidity, bradykinesia, and a masked facial expression. Loss of neurons in which structure most likely underlies this condition?
Answer choices
- ALocus coeruleus
- BCaudate nucleus
- CSubstantia nigra pars compactaCorrect answer
- DCerebellar vermis
- ESubthalamic nucleus
- FNucleus accumbens
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