,Contents
Chapter 1: Chemical Neurotransmission.........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2 – Transporters, Receptors, and Enzymes as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug
Action .................................................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Ion Channels as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug Action ......................................23
Chapter 4: Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and the Neurotransmitter Networks Dopamine, Serotonin, and
Glutamate ............................................................................................................................................................36
Chapter 5: Targeting Dopamine and Serotonin Receptors for Psychosis, Mood, and Beyond: So-
Called “Antipsychotics” ...................................................................................................................................56
Chapter 6: Mood Disorders and the Neurotransmitter Networks Norepinephrine and γ-Aminobutyric
Acid (GABA).......................................................................................................................................................73
Chapter 7: Treatments for Mood Disorders: So-Called “Antidepressants” and “Mood Stabilizers” ..86
Chapter 8: Anxiety, Trauma, and Treatment .............................................................................................98
Chapter 9: Chronic Pain and Its Treatment............................................................................................. 111
Chapter 10: Disorders of Sleep and Wakefulness and Their Treatment: Neurotransmitter Networks
for Histamine and Orexin................................................................................................................................ 124
Chapter 11: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Its Treatment .............................................. 135
Chapter 12: Dementia: Causes, Symptomatic Treatments, and the Neurotransmitter Network
Acetylcholine ................................................................................................................................................... 152
Chapter 13: Impulsivity, Compulsivity, and Addiction .................................................................................. 168
,📓Chapter 1: Chemical Neurotransmission
1. Which of the following correctly describes the sequence of events in chemical
neurotransmission?
A. Neurotransmitter synthesis → receptor binding → action potential →
reuptake
B. Action potential → vesicle fusion → neurotransmitter release → receptor
binding
C. Receptor binding → neurotransmitter release → vesicle fusion → reuptake
D. Neurotransmitter release → action potential → reuptake → receptor
activation
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: An action potential triggers vesicle fusion, which releases
neurotransmitters into the synapse. These then bind to receptors on the
postsynaptic neuron.
2. What enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synaptic
cleft?
A. Monoamine oxidase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Dopamine β-hydroxylase
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase rapidly breaks down acetylcholine in the
synaptic cleft to terminate its action.
3. Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily excitatory in the CNS?
A. GABA
B. Glycine
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
✅ Correct Answer: D
📚Rationale: Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain.
4. Which type of receptor leads to the fastest postsynaptic response?
A. Metabotropic receptor
B. Ionotropic receptor
C. G protein-coupled receptor
, D. Nuclear receptor
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that act
rapidly when activated.
5. What is the role of the synaptic vesicle transporter?
A. Synthesize neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft
B. Load neurotransmitters into vesicles
C. Reuptake neurotransmitters into the presynaptic neuron
D. Break down neurotransmitters in the vesicle
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: Synaptic vesicle transporters load neurotransmitters into
vesicles for release.
6. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is primarily involved in:
A. Inhibiting reuptake
B. Promoting vesicle release
C. Enzymatic degradation
D. Receptor sensitization
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: MAO degrades monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, and
norepinephrine.
7. Which of the following would most directly block neurotransmission?
A. Blocking autoreceptors
B. Enhancing reuptake
C. Inhibiting vesicle docking
D. Increasing synaptic cleft enzymes
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: Inhibiting vesicle docking prevents neurotransmitter release.
8. Which ion influx is most responsible for vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter
release?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
✅ Correct Answer: D
📚Rationale: Calcium influx triggers vesicle fusion at the presynaptic
terminal.
Chapter 1: Chemical Neurotransmission.........................................................................................................3
Chapter 2 – Transporters, Receptors, and Enzymes as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug
Action .................................................................................................................................................................11
Chapter 3: Ion Channels as Targets of Psychopharmacological Drug Action ......................................23
Chapter 4: Psychosis, Schizophrenia, and the Neurotransmitter Networks Dopamine, Serotonin, and
Glutamate ............................................................................................................................................................36
Chapter 5: Targeting Dopamine and Serotonin Receptors for Psychosis, Mood, and Beyond: So-
Called “Antipsychotics” ...................................................................................................................................56
Chapter 6: Mood Disorders and the Neurotransmitter Networks Norepinephrine and γ-Aminobutyric
Acid (GABA).......................................................................................................................................................73
Chapter 7: Treatments for Mood Disorders: So-Called “Antidepressants” and “Mood Stabilizers” ..86
Chapter 8: Anxiety, Trauma, and Treatment .............................................................................................98
Chapter 9: Chronic Pain and Its Treatment............................................................................................. 111
Chapter 10: Disorders of Sleep and Wakefulness and Their Treatment: Neurotransmitter Networks
for Histamine and Orexin................................................................................................................................ 124
Chapter 11: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Its Treatment .............................................. 135
Chapter 12: Dementia: Causes, Symptomatic Treatments, and the Neurotransmitter Network
Acetylcholine ................................................................................................................................................... 152
Chapter 13: Impulsivity, Compulsivity, and Addiction .................................................................................. 168
,📓Chapter 1: Chemical Neurotransmission
1. Which of the following correctly describes the sequence of events in chemical
neurotransmission?
A. Neurotransmitter synthesis → receptor binding → action potential →
reuptake
B. Action potential → vesicle fusion → neurotransmitter release → receptor
binding
C. Receptor binding → neurotransmitter release → vesicle fusion → reuptake
D. Neurotransmitter release → action potential → reuptake → receptor
activation
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: An action potential triggers vesicle fusion, which releases
neurotransmitters into the synapse. These then bind to receptors on the
postsynaptic neuron.
2. What enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine in the synaptic
cleft?
A. Monoamine oxidase
B. Catechol-O-methyltransferase
C. Acetylcholinesterase
D. Dopamine β-hydroxylase
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: Acetylcholinesterase rapidly breaks down acetylcholine in the
synaptic cleft to terminate its action.
3. Which of the following neurotransmitters is primarily excitatory in the CNS?
A. GABA
B. Glycine
C. Serotonin
D. Glutamate
✅ Correct Answer: D
📚Rationale: Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the
brain.
4. Which type of receptor leads to the fastest postsynaptic response?
A. Metabotropic receptor
B. Ionotropic receptor
C. G protein-coupled receptor
, D. Nuclear receptor
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: Ionotropic receptors are ligand-gated ion channels that act
rapidly when activated.
5. What is the role of the synaptic vesicle transporter?
A. Synthesize neurotransmitters in the synaptic cleft
B. Load neurotransmitters into vesicles
C. Reuptake neurotransmitters into the presynaptic neuron
D. Break down neurotransmitters in the vesicle
✅ Correct Answer: B
📚Rationale: Synaptic vesicle transporters load neurotransmitters into
vesicles for release.
6. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is primarily involved in:
A. Inhibiting reuptake
B. Promoting vesicle release
C. Enzymatic degradation
D. Receptor sensitization
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: MAO degrades monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, and
norepinephrine.
7. Which of the following would most directly block neurotransmission?
A. Blocking autoreceptors
B. Enhancing reuptake
C. Inhibiting vesicle docking
D. Increasing synaptic cleft enzymes
✅ Correct Answer: C
📚Rationale: Inhibiting vesicle docking prevents neurotransmitter release.
8. Which ion influx is most responsible for vesicle fusion and neurotransmitter
release?
A. Sodium
B. Chloride
C. Potassium
D. Calcium
✅ Correct Answer: D
📚Rationale: Calcium influx triggers vesicle fusion at the presynaptic
terminal.
