Neurodegenerative Diseases Were Once Considered Disorders of the Mind

Reading Passage Questions

Neurodegenerative diseases were once considered disorders of the mind that were deeply rooted in psychology. Now viruses rank among the environmental factors thought to trigger brain-ravaging diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and Alzeimer’s disease. Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6), in particular, has been linked to MS in past studies. Neuroscientists have determined that the virus makes its entry to the human brain through the olfactory pathway, right along with the odors wafting into our nose. The researchers tested samples of brain cells from people with MS and healthy control subjects and found evidence of the virus in the olfactory bulb in both groups. Infection via the nasal passage is probably quite common, as is harboring a dormant reservoir of HHV-6, but in people with MS, the virus is active. The virus appears to invade the brain by infecting a type of glial cell called olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which nourish smell-sensing neurons and guide the virus from the olfactory bulb to their targets in the nervous system. These targets include the limbic system, a group of evolutionarily old structures deep in the brain, which is where viruses like to reactivate. The olfactory neurons and their OECs are among the few brain cells known to regenerate throughout our life. This neurogenesis may keep our sense of smell sharp, but at the cost of providing the virus the opportunity to spread.

“Neurodegenerative diseases were once considered disorders of the mind” - is a GMAT reading comprehension passage with answers. Candidates need a strong knowledge of English GMAT reading comprehension.

This GMAT Reading Comprehension consists of 3 comprehension questions. The GMAT Reading Comprehension questions are designed for testing candidates’ abilities in understanding, analyzing, and applying information or concepts. Candidates can actively prepare with the help of GMAT Reading Comprehension Practice Questions.

Solution and Explanation

1. According to the passage, which of the following is true?

1. The limbic system and the olfactory ensheathing cells are one of the many target areas where viruses like to reactivate.
2. The regeneration of the OECs is linked with the spread of the HHV-6 virus.
3. The smell sensing neurons guide the HHV-6 virus to potential targets in the nervous system.
4. An inactive reservoir of HHV-6 in the body is indicative of the person’s lack of susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases.
5. Viruses like to flourish in deep, humidity ridden areas.

2. Why does the author say “Infection via the nasal passage is probably quite common…”?

1. To indicate that it is extremely difficult to stop infection through the nasal passage.
2. To prove that there is a greater likelihood of multiple sclerosis in people who have active strains of virus rather than those who do not.
3. To illustrate that HHV-6 infects in the same manner as most other viruses do.
4. To explain the finding that the samples of both the mentioned groups showed the presence of HHV-6.
5. To indicate that there is a chance that the occurrence of multiple sclerosis may increase in the future if the strains of HHV-6 are activated.

3. Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?

1. Those who possess higher concentrations of HHV-6 in the olfactory bulb are at a high risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
2. Those who have a sharper sense of smell are at a greater risk of multiple sclerosis.
3. The absence of multiple sclerosis in a person does not necessarily indicate an absence of the disease causing virus in that person
4. Multiple sclerosis, along with other neurodegenerative diseases, can have disease causing viruses lying dormant in the human body without any external symptom of the same.
5. In the absence of the limbic system, it would be difficult for the HHV-6 virus to reactivate.

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