Ultimate Brain Drugs Review:
Neuropharmacology Test Bank
150Q&A
1. A patient with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed levodopa. What is
the primary purpose of adding carbidopa?
a. Enhance dopamine receptor sensitivity
b. Inhibit peripheral levodopa metabolism
c. Prevent CNS side effects
d. Improve absorption in the stomach
Rationale: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral decarboxylase, allowing more
levodopa to reach the brain.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with
Alzheimer’s disease?
a. Dopamine excess
b. GABA deficiency
c. Acetylcholine deficiency
d. Norepinephrine excess
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by reduced
acetylcholine due to degeneration of cholinergic neurons.
3. Phenytoin works primarily by blocking which channels?
a. Calcium channels
b. Voltage-gated sodium channels
,c. Potassium channels
d. Chloride channels
Rationale: Phenytoin stabilizes neuronal membranes by inhibiting
sodium channel influx.
4. Which drug is used to treat status epilepticus first-line?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Valproate
c. Lorazepam
d. Gabapentin
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are first-line for acute
seizure termination.
5. A major adverse effect of long-term levodopa therapy is:
a. Hypertension
b. Hepatotoxicity
c. Dyskinesias
d. Renal failure
Rationale: Chronic levodopa use often leads to motor fluctuations and
involuntary movements.
6. Which medication increases GABA levels by inhibiting GABA
transaminase?
a. Ethosuximide
b. Carbamazepine
c. Vigabatrin
d. Levetiracetam
,Rationale: Vigabatrin irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase,
increasing GABA availability.
7. Beta-blockers can help in anxiety by:
a. Increasing serotonin
b. Blocking dopamine receptors
c. Reducing peripheral sympathetic symptoms
d. Enhancing GABA
Rationale: They reduce tremors, palpitations, and autonomic arousal
but do not affect central anxiety pathways directly.
8. Which drug class is preferred for neuropathic pain?
a. Antipsychotics
b. Anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin)
c. MAO inhibitors
d. Beta-blockers
Rationale: Anticonvulsants modulate calcium channels and decrease
neuropathic pain transmission.
9. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis?
a. Risperidone
b. Clozapine
c. Aripiprazole
d. Olanzapine
Rationale: Clozapine can cause life-threatening agranulocytosis
requiring regular blood monitoring.
, 10. The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines involves:
a. Blocking glutamate
b. Inhibiting dopamine release
c. Enhancing GABA-A receptor activity
d. Activating opioid receptors
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the frequency of GABA-A chloride
channel opening.
11. Which drug is used for absence seizures?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Phenytoin
c. Ethosuximide
d. Phenobarbital
Rationale: Ethosuximide blocks T-type calcium channels, effective for
absence seizures.
12. Which neurotransmitter is elevated in schizophrenia?
a. Acetylcholine
b. Dopamine
c. Serotonin
d. GABA
Rationale: Dopamine hyperactivity in mesolimbic pathways
contributes to positive symptoms.
13. Which medication is a mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder?
a. Fluoxetine
b. Haloperidol
Neuropharmacology Test Bank
150Q&A
1. A patient with Parkinson’s disease is prescribed levodopa. What is
the primary purpose of adding carbidopa?
a. Enhance dopamine receptor sensitivity
b. Inhibit peripheral levodopa metabolism
c. Prevent CNS side effects
d. Improve absorption in the stomach
Rationale: Carbidopa inhibits peripheral decarboxylase, allowing more
levodopa to reach the brain.
2. Which neurotransmitter imbalance is most associated with
Alzheimer’s disease?
a. Dopamine excess
b. GABA deficiency
c. Acetylcholine deficiency
d. Norepinephrine excess
Rationale: Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by reduced
acetylcholine due to degeneration of cholinergic neurons.
3. Phenytoin works primarily by blocking which channels?
a. Calcium channels
b. Voltage-gated sodium channels
,c. Potassium channels
d. Chloride channels
Rationale: Phenytoin stabilizes neuronal membranes by inhibiting
sodium channel influx.
4. Which drug is used to treat status epilepticus first-line?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Valproate
c. Lorazepam
d. Gabapentin
Rationale: Benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are first-line for acute
seizure termination.
5. A major adverse effect of long-term levodopa therapy is:
a. Hypertension
b. Hepatotoxicity
c. Dyskinesias
d. Renal failure
Rationale: Chronic levodopa use often leads to motor fluctuations and
involuntary movements.
6. Which medication increases GABA levels by inhibiting GABA
transaminase?
a. Ethosuximide
b. Carbamazepine
c. Vigabatrin
d. Levetiracetam
,Rationale: Vigabatrin irreversibly inhibits GABA transaminase,
increasing GABA availability.
7. Beta-blockers can help in anxiety by:
a. Increasing serotonin
b. Blocking dopamine receptors
c. Reducing peripheral sympathetic symptoms
d. Enhancing GABA
Rationale: They reduce tremors, palpitations, and autonomic arousal
but do not affect central anxiety pathways directly.
8. Which drug class is preferred for neuropathic pain?
a. Antipsychotics
b. Anticonvulsants (e.g., gabapentin, pregabalin)
c. MAO inhibitors
d. Beta-blockers
Rationale: Anticonvulsants modulate calcium channels and decrease
neuropathic pain transmission.
9. Which antipsychotic has the highest risk of agranulocytosis?
a. Risperidone
b. Clozapine
c. Aripiprazole
d. Olanzapine
Rationale: Clozapine can cause life-threatening agranulocytosis
requiring regular blood monitoring.
, 10. The mechanism of action of benzodiazepines involves:
a. Blocking glutamate
b. Inhibiting dopamine release
c. Enhancing GABA-A receptor activity
d. Activating opioid receptors
Rationale: Benzodiazepines increase the frequency of GABA-A chloride
channel opening.
11. Which drug is used for absence seizures?
a. Carbamazepine
b. Phenytoin
c. Ethosuximide
d. Phenobarbital
Rationale: Ethosuximide blocks T-type calcium channels, effective for
absence seizures.
12. Which neurotransmitter is elevated in schizophrenia?
a. Acetylcholine
b. Dopamine
c. Serotonin
d. GABA
Rationale: Dopamine hyperactivity in mesolimbic pathways
contributes to positive symptoms.
13. Which medication is a mood stabilizer used for bipolar disorder?
a. Fluoxetine
b. Haloperidol
