Autism Spectrum Disorder MCQs

Habit reversal technique is used in management of tic disorders. It involves several components aimed at increasing tic awareness, developing competing responses to tics and building and sustaining motivation and compliance. Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11 th edition, Chapter 31.8c, Tourette's disorder, Page number 1202.

Mirtazapine has a lower incidence of sexual side effects than most other antidepressants at 24%. SSRIs may indirectly decrease libido through a direct inhibition of sexual arousal and orgasm.(Option A) Tricyclic antidepressants may decrease libido indirectly through sedation. Venlafaxine can inhibit arousal and orgasm.(Option D) Reference: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Eleventh edition, Chapter 29th, Page no. 993.

Lithium is excreted in breast milk , so it should be explained clearly to the mother about the effect of lithium in newborn babies.( OPTION A IS FALSE ) Lithium can affect the baby during the second and third trimesters. It can have toxic effects if serum lithium levels are very high and can also cause cardiac dysfunction, diabetes insipidus and hypothyroidism in the fetus.( OPTION B IS FALSE ) Lithium levels fall during the third trimester of pregnancy.( OPTION C IS FALSE) However, immediately after delivery, the serum concentration starts to rise , so lithium levels should be closely monitored.( CORRECT OPTION D) Lithium use is usually associated with Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve. Reference: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Eleventh edition, Chapter 29th, Page no. 987.

Five to ten per cent. This contrasts with 5-10% in population controls. Reference: Synopsis of Psychiatry, Eleventh edition, Chapter 8, page no. 365

SCOFF QUESTIONNAIRE: screening test for eating disorder S - Sick - Do you feel sick that you have eaten a lot? C - Control - Do you think you have lost control over amount of food you eat?≥ O - One stone - have you lost more than 6Kg in last 3-6 months? F - Fat - Do you believe that your are Fat when others are saying, you are thin? F - Food - do you think food dominates your life? If yes for ≥ 2 questions - Detailed examination needed Reference: The SCOFF questionnaire, Morgan JF, Reid F, Lacey JH. The SCOFF Questionnaire-A new screening tool for Eating Disorder. West J Med. 2000 Mar;172(3), Page No.: 164-165

Hysterical aphonia ( Conversion disorder symptom ) is presented with sudden loss of voice which is usually precipitated by an acute psychological stressor In hysterical aphonia, though the patient can make only whispering sounds, however, on asking the patient to cough or laugh , he/ she can produce normal cough sound or laughter sound The structure of larynx is found to be the normal The movement of vocal cords may slightly be diminished Reference: Kaplan and Sadock’s Synopsis of Psychiatry, Eleventh edition, Chapter 13.4, Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder (Conversion Disorder), Page 476

Rett syndrome, now diagnosed in the DSM-5 as a form of autism spectrum disorder, is believed to be caused by a dominant X-linked gene. It is degenerative and affects only females. Head circumference deceleration, deterioration in communications skills, motor behaviour and social functioning starts at about 1 year of age. Symptoms include ataxia, facial grimacing, teeth-grinding and loss of speech. Stereotypical hand movements, including hand-wringing, are typical. Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11 th edition, Chapter 31.3, Intellectual disability, Page number 1124.

Biomarkers in autism spectrum disorder: Elevated serotonin in platelets Increased total brain volume Disruption of sensitive or critical periods within brain's plasticity Theory of mind deficits Tendency to scan faces differently than controls Greater amygdala hyper-arousal Dysfunction of mirror neuron system Decreased activation of left frontal regions during memory and language-based tasks Reference: Kaplan and Sadock's Synopsis of Psychiatry, 11 th edition, Chapter 31.5, Autism spectrum disorder, Page number 1154.