NEI questions on ADHD, Dementia, Substance Abuse & impulsive
Compulsive Disorders. (Test 4) Answered.
1. Peter, a 35-year-old stockbroker, has been advised by his supervisor to come and see you, the
company mental health consultant. His supervisor is complaining that he often comes late to
appointments, is inappropriately fidgety, interrupts people during meetings, has been offensive
towards coworkers, and has been known to party excessively on weeknights. Peter asserts that he
is just fine; he has a lot of projects on his mind and is simply standing up for himself when
speaking with others. He likes to go out in the evenings to unwind. Recognizing probable
ADHD, you interview both the patient and his work buddy, who is a longtime friend. How
would you start your questions?
A. Compared to his parents, how often does the patient...
B. Compared to other people his age, how often does the patient...
C. Compared to his childhood, how often does the patient...
D. Compared to his children, how often does the patient...
Answer- The symptoms of ADHD can present differently in patients at different ages. While
hyperactivity is a main symptom in children for example, this will frequently translate into
internal restlessness in adults.
A and D - Incorrect. While ADHD has a strong genetic component, it is not advised to ask him
first to compare himself to either his children or his parents. An accurate family history would be
beneficial, however.
B - Correct. When trying to diagnose this adult patient with ADHD, it is preferable to first ask
him to compare his behavior to that of other adults his age, as this will give a better idea of the
severity of his symptoms at this time.
C - Incorrect. While it is important to obtain a medical history, the patient might not have the
best recollection and might not be the best judge of his behaviors as a child.
2. According to DSM-5 criteria, what is the maximum age threshold for symptom onset when
making a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 12
D. 15
Answer- C - Correct. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, the maximum age threshold for symptom onset for diagnosing ADHD changed from 7
to 12. Other revisions included the fact that, although symptoms must have been present prior to
age 12, there does not have to have been impairment prior to age 12 when diagnosing someone
who is older. The symptom count threshold also changed for adults (defined as age 17 and
older), with 5 (instead of 6) symptoms required in the inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive
categories.
A, B, and D - Incorrect.
, 3. A 15-year-old with inattentive-type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has a hard time
staying focused on the task at hand, has trouble organizing her work, and relies heavily on her
mother to follow through with her homework. Problem solving is one of the hardest tasks for her.
Her difficulty with sustained attention could be related to aberrant activation in the:
A. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
B. Prefrontal motor cortex
C. Orbital frontal cortex
D. Supplementary motor cortex
Answer- A - Correct. Sustained attention is hypothetically modulated by the cortico-striatal-
thalamic-cortical loop involving the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Inefficient
activation of the DLPFC can lead to problems following through or finishing tasks,
disorganization and trouble sustaining mental effort; the patient exhibits all of these symptoms.
The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is important in regulating selective attention, and is
associated with behaviors such as losing things, being distracted, and making careless mistakes.
This area is certainly also inefficient in this patient.
B - Incorrect. The prefrontal motor cortex hypothetically modulates behaviors such as fidgeting,
leaving one's seat, running/climbing, having trouble being quiet.
C - Incorrect. The orbital frontal cortex regulates impulsivity, which includes symptoms such as
talking excessively, blurting things out and interrupting others.
D - Incorrect. Finally, the supplementary motor area is implicated in planning motor actions; thus
this brain area would be more involved in hyperactive symptoms.
4. Which of the following is true regarding cortical brain development in children with ADHD
compared to healthy controls?
A. The pattern (i.e., order) of cortical maturation is different
B. The timing of cortical maturation is different
C. The pattern and timing of cortical maturation are different
D. Neither the pattern nor the timing of cortical maturation are different
Answer- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder
characterized by inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive symptoms. Neuroimaging has been
used to evaluate cortical maturation in children with ADHD compared to typically developing
controls, specifically by comparing the age of attaining peak cortical thickness in children with
and without ADHD.
A - Incorrect. Research shows that the pattern of cortical maturation is similar for children with
and without ADHD. Specifically, the primary sensory and motor areas attain peak cortical
thickness earlier in development than do high-order association areas such as the dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex.
B - Correct. There are differences in the timing of cortical maturation between children with and
without ADHD that are apparent as early as age 7. That is, cortical maturation in children with
Compulsive Disorders. (Test 4) Answered.
1. Peter, a 35-year-old stockbroker, has been advised by his supervisor to come and see you, the
company mental health consultant. His supervisor is complaining that he often comes late to
appointments, is inappropriately fidgety, interrupts people during meetings, has been offensive
towards coworkers, and has been known to party excessively on weeknights. Peter asserts that he
is just fine; he has a lot of projects on his mind and is simply standing up for himself when
speaking with others. He likes to go out in the evenings to unwind. Recognizing probable
ADHD, you interview both the patient and his work buddy, who is a longtime friend. How
would you start your questions?
A. Compared to his parents, how often does the patient...
B. Compared to other people his age, how often does the patient...
C. Compared to his childhood, how often does the patient...
D. Compared to his children, how often does the patient...
Answer- The symptoms of ADHD can present differently in patients at different ages. While
hyperactivity is a main symptom in children for example, this will frequently translate into
internal restlessness in adults.
A and D - Incorrect. While ADHD has a strong genetic component, it is not advised to ask him
first to compare himself to either his children or his parents. An accurate family history would be
beneficial, however.
B - Correct. When trying to diagnose this adult patient with ADHD, it is preferable to first ask
him to compare his behavior to that of other adults his age, as this will give a better idea of the
severity of his symptoms at this time.
C - Incorrect. While it is important to obtain a medical history, the patient might not have the
best recollection and might not be the best judge of his behaviors as a child.
2. According to DSM-5 criteria, what is the maximum age threshold for symptom onset when
making a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 12
D. 15
Answer- C - Correct. In the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders, the maximum age threshold for symptom onset for diagnosing ADHD changed from 7
to 12. Other revisions included the fact that, although symptoms must have been present prior to
age 12, there does not have to have been impairment prior to age 12 when diagnosing someone
who is older. The symptom count threshold also changed for adults (defined as age 17 and
older), with 5 (instead of 6) symptoms required in the inattention and/or hyperactive/impulsive
categories.
A, B, and D - Incorrect.
, 3. A 15-year-old with inattentive-type attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has a hard time
staying focused on the task at hand, has trouble organizing her work, and relies heavily on her
mother to follow through with her homework. Problem solving is one of the hardest tasks for her.
Her difficulty with sustained attention could be related to aberrant activation in the:
A. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
B. Prefrontal motor cortex
C. Orbital frontal cortex
D. Supplementary motor cortex
Answer- A - Correct. Sustained attention is hypothetically modulated by the cortico-striatal-
thalamic-cortical loop involving the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Inefficient
activation of the DLPFC can lead to problems following through or finishing tasks,
disorganization and trouble sustaining mental effort; the patient exhibits all of these symptoms.
The dorsal anterior cingulate cortex is important in regulating selective attention, and is
associated with behaviors such as losing things, being distracted, and making careless mistakes.
This area is certainly also inefficient in this patient.
B - Incorrect. The prefrontal motor cortex hypothetically modulates behaviors such as fidgeting,
leaving one's seat, running/climbing, having trouble being quiet.
C - Incorrect. The orbital frontal cortex regulates impulsivity, which includes symptoms such as
talking excessively, blurting things out and interrupting others.
D - Incorrect. Finally, the supplementary motor area is implicated in planning motor actions; thus
this brain area would be more involved in hyperactive symptoms.
4. Which of the following is true regarding cortical brain development in children with ADHD
compared to healthy controls?
A. The pattern (i.e., order) of cortical maturation is different
B. The timing of cortical maturation is different
C. The pattern and timing of cortical maturation are different
D. Neither the pattern nor the timing of cortical maturation are different
Answer- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a neurodevelopmental disorder
characterized by inattentive, hyperactive, and/or impulsive symptoms. Neuroimaging has been
used to evaluate cortical maturation in children with ADHD compared to typically developing
controls, specifically by comparing the age of attaining peak cortical thickness in children with
and without ADHD.
A - Incorrect. Research shows that the pattern of cortical maturation is similar for children with
and without ADHD. Specifically, the primary sensory and motor areas attain peak cortical
thickness earlier in development than do high-order association areas such as the dorsolateral
prefrontal cortex.
B - Correct. There are differences in the timing of cortical maturation between children with and
without ADHD that are apparent as early as age 7. That is, cortical maturation in children with
