NRNP 6635 ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY - WEEK 2
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the negative and cognitive
symptoms of schizophrenia when dopamine levels are low?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Mesocortical pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The mesocortical pathway, particularly the projection to the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is linked to negative symptoms and cognitive impairment
when dopamine is deficient.
2. A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a ‘partial agonist’ at the D2 receptor. How
does this medication function compared to a full agonist?
A. It produces a maximal biological response identical to a full agonist.
,B. It activates the receptor to a sub-maximal level regardless of the concentration.
C. It blocks the receptor entirely, preventing any signal transduction.
D. It increases the number of receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A partial agonist has intrinsic activity that is lower than a full
agonist but higher than an antagonist, effectively acting as a tuner for neurotransmission.
3. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 25%
of all psychotropic medications and is subject to significant genetic polymorphism?
A. CYP1A2
B. CYP2C19
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2D6
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CYP2D6 is a major metabolic pathway for many antidepressants
and antipsychotics and exhibits high genetic variability among different populations.
4. The ‘worry circuit’ in Generalized Anxiety Disorder is hypothesized to involve a loop
between which three brain areas?
A. Amygdala, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus
B. Locus Coeruleus to Cerebellum
, C. Ventral tegmental area to Nucleus Accumbens
D. Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Worry is processed through the CSTC loop, where
malfunctioning can lead to chronic anxiety and obsessive thoughts.
5. Which serotonin receptor subtype is the primary target for most second-generation
(atypical) antipsychotics to reduce Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPS)?
A. 5-HT2A
B. 5-HT1A
C. 5-HT3
D. 5-HT7
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Antagonism of the 5-HT2A receptor facilitates dopamine release
in the nigrostriatal pathway, which helps mitigate the EPS caused by D2 blockade.
6. What is the clinical significance of a drug having a ‘High Therapeutic Index’?
A. There is a wide margin of safety between the effective dose and the toxic dose.
B. The drug requires frequent blood level monitoring.
C. The drug has a high risk of toxicity at therapeutic doses.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY - WEEK 2
COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. Which dopamine pathway is primarily associated with the negative and cognitive
symptoms of schizophrenia when dopamine levels are low?
A. Mesolimbic pathway
B. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
C. Nigrostriatal pathway
D. Mesocortical pathway
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The mesocortical pathway, particularly the projection to the
dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, is linked to negative symptoms and cognitive impairment
when dopamine is deficient.
2. A patient is prescribed a medication that acts as a ‘partial agonist’ at the D2 receptor. How
does this medication function compared to a full agonist?
A. It produces a maximal biological response identical to a full agonist.
,B. It activates the receptor to a sub-maximal level regardless of the concentration.
C. It blocks the receptor entirely, preventing any signal transduction.
D. It increases the number of receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: A partial agonist has intrinsic activity that is lower than a full
agonist but higher than an antagonist, effectively acting as a tuner for neurotransmission.
3. Which Cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for the metabolism of approximately 25%
of all psychotropic medications and is subject to significant genetic polymorphism?
A. CYP1A2
B. CYP2C19
C. CYP3A4
D. CYP2D6
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: CYP2D6 is a major metabolic pathway for many antidepressants
and antipsychotics and exhibits high genetic variability among different populations.
4. The ‘worry circuit’ in Generalized Anxiety Disorder is hypothesized to involve a loop
between which three brain areas?
A. Amygdala, Hippocampus, Hypothalamus
B. Locus Coeruleus to Cerebellum
, C. Ventral tegmental area to Nucleus Accumbens
D. Cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) circuits
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Worry is processed through the CSTC loop, where
malfunctioning can lead to chronic anxiety and obsessive thoughts.
5. Which serotonin receptor subtype is the primary target for most second-generation
(atypical) antipsychotics to reduce Extrapyramidal Side Effects (EPS)?
A. 5-HT2A
B. 5-HT1A
C. 5-HT3
D. 5-HT7
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Antagonism of the 5-HT2A receptor facilitates dopamine release
in the nigrostriatal pathway, which helps mitigate the EPS caused by D2 blockade.
6. What is the clinical significance of a drug having a ‘High Therapeutic Index’?
A. There is a wide margin of safety between the effective dose and the toxic dose.
B. The drug requires frequent blood level monitoring.
C. The drug has a high risk of toxicity at therapeutic doses.
