NR 606 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM
EXAM
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
theorized to cause the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in which pathway leads to extrapyramidal symptoms
(EPS) and tardive dyskinesia?
A. Mesocortical
B. Mesolimbic
,C. Nigrostriatal
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; D2 blockade
here results in movement disorders like EPS.
3. Which mechanism of action explains why Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) have a
lower risk of EPS compared to First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)?
A. 5-HT2A receptor antagonism
B. D1 receptor antagonism
C. GABA-A receptor agonism
D. NMDA receptor blockade
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: 5-HT2A antagonism increases dopamine release in the
nigrostriatal pathway, competing with D2 blockade and reducing EPS.
4. Which antipsychotic medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treatment-resistant
schizophrenia but requires intensive monitoring of Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
, D. Quetiapine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine is highly effective for treatment resistance but carries
a risk of agranulocytosis, necessitating regular blood monitoring.
5. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid foods rich in tyramine
to prevent which life-threatening condition?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Hypertensive Crisis
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine acts as a catecholamine releasing agent; when MAO is
inhibited, tyramine levels rise, causing massive norepinephrine release and severe
hypertension.
6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Benzodiazepines?
A. Direct GABA-A receptor agonist
B. Positive Allosteric Modulator of GABA-A receptors
C. Glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist
D. Serotonin 1A partial agonist
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY MIDTERM
EXAM
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is
theorized to cause the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
2. Blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in which pathway leads to extrapyramidal symptoms
(EPS) and tardive dyskinesia?
A. Mesocortical
B. Mesolimbic
,C. Nigrostriatal
D. Tuberoinfundibular
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function; D2 blockade
here results in movement disorders like EPS.
3. Which mechanism of action explains why Second-Generation Antipsychotics (SGAs) have a
lower risk of EPS compared to First-Generation Antipsychotics (FGAs)?
A. 5-HT2A receptor antagonism
B. D1 receptor antagonism
C. GABA-A receptor agonism
D. NMDA receptor blockade
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: 5-HT2A antagonism increases dopamine release in the
nigrostriatal pathway, competing with D2 blockade and reducing EPS.
4. Which antipsychotic medication is considered the ‘gold standard’ for treatment-resistant
schizophrenia but requires intensive monitoring of Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC)?
A. Clozapine
B. Risperidone
C. Olanzapine
, D. Quetiapine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Clozapine is highly effective for treatment resistance but carries
a risk of agranulocytosis, necessitating regular blood monitoring.
5. A patient taking a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) must avoid foods rich in tyramine
to prevent which life-threatening condition?
A. Serotonin Syndrome
B. Hypertensive Crisis
C. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
D. Agranulocytosis
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine acts as a catecholamine releasing agent; when MAO is
inhibited, tyramine levels rise, causing massive norepinephrine release and severe
hypertension.
6. What is the primary mechanism of action of Benzodiazepines?
A. Direct GABA-A receptor agonist
B. Positive Allosteric Modulator of GABA-A receptors
C. Glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist
D. Serotonin 1A partial agonist
