Genetics

Question 1

method of inheritance in Huntington’s

Answer 1

autosomal dominant

Question 2

defect in huntingtons

Answer 2

the Huntington’s gene of chromosome 4 codes for the huntigtons protein – expansion of the CAG triplet repeat

Question 3

how is the Huntington protein formed

Answer 3

CAG codes for glutamine

more CAG repeats makes longer chains of glutamine – Huntington protein

Question 4

psychiatric symptoms of Huntington’s

Answer 4

depression
anxiety 
aggression 
psychosis 
sucidality

Question 5

cognitive symptoms in Huntington’s

Answer 5

short + long term memory deficit
decline in executive function
dementia

Question 6

motor symptoms in huntingtons

Answer 6

gait disturbance
balance issues 
problems with chewing/swallowing/ speaking 
rigidity 
chorea
clumsiness
dystonia 
weight loss

Question 7

most common cause of dementia

Answer 7

Alzheimers

Question 8

where in the brain is first affected in Alzheimers

Answer 8

nucleus basalis of Meynert

Question 9

affected genes in early onset familial Alzheimers

Answer 9

PSEN1 on chromosome 14
PSEN2 on chromosome 1
APP on chromosome 21 (amyloid precursor protein)

Question 10

what age does early onset familial Alzheimers present

Answer 10

before 65

Question 11

when does Huntington’s present

Answer 11

adulthood- slow onset neurological + psychological symptoms

Question 12

heritability rate of bipolar disorder

Answer 12

80%

Question 13

how does having a first degree relative with bipolar affect your risk of unipolar depression

Answer 13

20-30% increased risk of unipolar depression if you have a 1st degree relative with bipolar

Question 14

short allele of which gene has a higher risk of depression

Answer 14

5HTT

Question 15

which gender is depression more common in

Answer 15

females

Question 16

how does childhood viral CNS infection affect risk for schizophrenia

Answer 16

50% increased risk