Question

A patient is brought to the OPD by his wife, complaining about difficulty expressing emotionsand not participating in daily activities. On examination, resting tremors and rigidity are noted.Given the possible diagnosis, which part of the brain is affected in this patient?

• A. Basal ganglia
• B. Hippocampus
• C. Cerebellum
• D. Premotor cortex

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The symptoms described in the question suggest a possible diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which is characterized by resting tremors, rigidity, and often bradykinesia (slowness of movement). These symptoms typically result from dysfunction in a specific part of the brain.

Key Symptom Analysis:

• Resting Tremors: An involuntary shaking of the hands, occurring when the muscles are relaxed.
• Rigidity: Increased muscle tone and resistance to movement.
• Difficulty Expressing Emotions: Often associated with disorders affecting brain regions involved in movement control and emotional expression.

Relevant Brain Anatomy: The Basal Ganglia is a group of nuclei in the brain deeply involved in controlling movement. It plays a crucial role in proper motor control and is intricately involved with conditions like Parkinson's disease. In Parkinson’s, the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, which is part of the basal ganglia, leads to the symptoms observed.

Conclusion: Based on the symptoms presented, the part of the brain affected in this patient is the Basal Ganglia.