WGU D116 Advanced Pharmacology
Study Guide
2026/2027
Complete Questions Bank and Correct
Detailed Answers With Rationales || 100%
Guaranteed Pass || Brand New Version
,Terms in this set (392)
Neuropharmacology Studies how drugs influence the nervous system
to modify behavior, cognition, and physiological
function.
Molecular Neuropharmacology Interactions at receptor and signaling level.
Behavioral Neuropharmacology How drugs affect behavior and mental states.
Acetylcholine (ACh) Major neurotransmitter involved in memory,
attention, and autonomic regulation.
Dopamine (DA) Major neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, and motor control.
Serotonin (5-HT) Major neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep,
pain, and gastrointestinal function.
Norepinephrine (NE) Major neurotransmitter involved in arousal, stress,
attention, and blood pressure.
GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) Major neurotransmitter providing inhibitory tone
and seizure control.
Glutamate Major neurotransmitter involved in learning,
memory, and excitotoxicity.
Cholinergic Drugs Drugs that affect acetylcholine receptors, including
agonists, anticholinesterases, and
anticholinergics.
,Dopaminergic Agents Drugs that target dopamine pathways, including
agonists, reuptake inhibitors, and antagonists.
Serotonergic Agents Drugs that affect serotonin levels, including SSRIs,
SNRIs, and various agonists and antagonists.
GABAergic Agents Drugs that enhance GABA activity, including
GABA-A agonists and GABA analogs.
Glutamatergic Modulators Drugs that modulate glutamate activity, including
NMDA antagonists and AMPA modulators.
Parkinson's Disease Characterized by decreased dopamine in the
substantia nigra, treated with levodopa and
dopamine agonists.
Alzheimer's Disease Characterized by decreased acetylcholine and
amyloid & tau accumulation, treated with
cholinesterase inhibitors.
Epilepsy Characterized by excess neuronal firing, treated
with GABA enhancers and sodium channel
blockers.
Depression Characterized by decreased monoamines (5-HT,
NE, DA), treated with SSRIs and SNRIs.
Anxiety Characterized by a hyperactive limbic system,
treated with SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Schizophrenia Characterized by increased dopamine in the
mesolimbic pathway, treated with D2 antagonists.
Migraine Characterized by vascular and serotonin
dysregulation, treated with triptans and beta
blockers.
, Multiple Sclerosis Characterized by autoimmune demyelination,
treated with immunomodulators and steroids.
Antipsychotics Watch for extrapyramidal symptoms, QT
prolongation, and increased prolactin.
SSRIs/SNRIs Watch for sexual dysfunction and serotonin
syndrome.
MAOIs Watch for hypertensive crisis when consuming
tyramine foods.
Anticholinergics Watch for dry mouth, urinary retention, and
confusion, especially in the elderly.
Levodopa Watch for dyskinesias and hallucinations.
Benzodiazepines Watch for dependence, withdrawal, and sedation.
BALSA Mnemonic for Parkinson's: Bromocriptine,
Amantadine, Levodopa, Selegiline,
Antimuscarinics
BAD TRIP Mnemonic for serotonin syndrome: Benzos,
Agitation, Diaphoresis, Tachycardia, Reflexes ↑,
Incoordination, Pyrexia
Direct Muscarinic Agonists Drugs that bind directly to muscarinic receptors
and activate them.
Pilocarpine Used for glaucoma and xerostomia (dry mouth).
Study Guide
2026/2027
Complete Questions Bank and Correct
Detailed Answers With Rationales || 100%
Guaranteed Pass || Brand New Version
,Terms in this set (392)
Neuropharmacology Studies how drugs influence the nervous system
to modify behavior, cognition, and physiological
function.
Molecular Neuropharmacology Interactions at receptor and signaling level.
Behavioral Neuropharmacology How drugs affect behavior and mental states.
Acetylcholine (ACh) Major neurotransmitter involved in memory,
attention, and autonomic regulation.
Dopamine (DA) Major neurotransmitter involved in reward,
motivation, and motor control.
Serotonin (5-HT) Major neurotransmitter involved in mood, sleep,
pain, and gastrointestinal function.
Norepinephrine (NE) Major neurotransmitter involved in arousal, stress,
attention, and blood pressure.
GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) Major neurotransmitter providing inhibitory tone
and seizure control.
Glutamate Major neurotransmitter involved in learning,
memory, and excitotoxicity.
Cholinergic Drugs Drugs that affect acetylcholine receptors, including
agonists, anticholinesterases, and
anticholinergics.
,Dopaminergic Agents Drugs that target dopamine pathways, including
agonists, reuptake inhibitors, and antagonists.
Serotonergic Agents Drugs that affect serotonin levels, including SSRIs,
SNRIs, and various agonists and antagonists.
GABAergic Agents Drugs that enhance GABA activity, including
GABA-A agonists and GABA analogs.
Glutamatergic Modulators Drugs that modulate glutamate activity, including
NMDA antagonists and AMPA modulators.
Parkinson's Disease Characterized by decreased dopamine in the
substantia nigra, treated with levodopa and
dopamine agonists.
Alzheimer's Disease Characterized by decreased acetylcholine and
amyloid & tau accumulation, treated with
cholinesterase inhibitors.
Epilepsy Characterized by excess neuronal firing, treated
with GABA enhancers and sodium channel
blockers.
Depression Characterized by decreased monoamines (5-HT,
NE, DA), treated with SSRIs and SNRIs.
Anxiety Characterized by a hyperactive limbic system,
treated with SSRIs and benzodiazepines.
Schizophrenia Characterized by increased dopamine in the
mesolimbic pathway, treated with D2 antagonists.
Migraine Characterized by vascular and serotonin
dysregulation, treated with triptans and beta
blockers.
, Multiple Sclerosis Characterized by autoimmune demyelination,
treated with immunomodulators and steroids.
Antipsychotics Watch for extrapyramidal symptoms, QT
prolongation, and increased prolactin.
SSRIs/SNRIs Watch for sexual dysfunction and serotonin
syndrome.
MAOIs Watch for hypertensive crisis when consuming
tyramine foods.
Anticholinergics Watch for dry mouth, urinary retention, and
confusion, especially in the elderly.
Levodopa Watch for dyskinesias and hallucinations.
Benzodiazepines Watch for dependence, withdrawal, and sedation.
BALSA Mnemonic for Parkinson's: Bromocriptine,
Amantadine, Levodopa, Selegiline,
Antimuscarinics
BAD TRIP Mnemonic for serotonin syndrome: Benzos,
Agitation, Diaphoresis, Tachycardia, Reflexes ↑,
Incoordination, Pyrexia
Direct Muscarinic Agonists Drugs that bind directly to muscarinic receptors
and activate them.
Pilocarpine Used for glaucoma and xerostomia (dry mouth).
