NR 546 Psychopharmacology Midterm Exam 2026
– Latest 200 Q&A with Rationale | Graded A+
Study Guide
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & NEUROTRANSMISSION (Q1–Q30)
1. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the pathophysiology of depression?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) Glutamate
Answer: B) Serotonin
Serotonin (5-HT) is strongly implicated in depression, and most antidepressants target serotonergic
systems.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with schizophrenia?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: B) Dopamine
The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that excessive dopaminergic activity in mesolimbic
pathways contributes to positive symptoms.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A) Glutamate
B) GABA
C) Dopamine
D) Serotonin
Answer: B) GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal
excitability.
4. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) Dopamine
Answer: B) Glutamate
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity.
5. Which receptor type is most associated with the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A) Serotonin 5-HT2A
B) Dopamine D2
C) GABA-A
D) NMDA
Answer: C) GABA-A
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA.
6. Which enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin?
A) Acetylcholinesterase
B) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
C) Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
D) Both B and C
,Answer: D) Both B and C
MAO and COMT are both enzymes involved in the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Blockade of serotonin receptors
B) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
C) Stimulation of serotonin release
D) Inhibition of MAO
Answer: B) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
SSRIs block the serotonin transporter (SERT), increasing synaptic serotonin levels.
8. Which brain region is most associated with the reward pathway and is involved in substance use
disorders?
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Nucleus accumbens
C) Hippocampus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Nucleus accumbens
The mesolimbic pathway, which projects from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens,
is the core of the brain's reward circuitry.
9. Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive function, decision-making, and is
implicated in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia when hypofunctional?
A) Amygdala
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Hippocampus
D) Basal ganglia
Answer: B) Prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is primarily responsible for executive function, decision-making, impulse control, and
social behavior. Hypofunction of the prefrontal cortex (hypofrontality) is associated with negative symptoms
of schizophrenia.
, 10. A patient presents with difficulty understanding spoken language and producing fluent speech.
Which area of the brain is most likely affected?
A) Broca's area
B) Wernicke's area
C) Prefrontal cortex
D) Occipital lobe
Answer: B) Wernicke's area
Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe, is responsible for speech comprehension. Damage results in
receptive aphasia.
11. Which brain structure is associated with both memory and anxiety?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Thalamus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Hippocampus
The hippocampus is involved in memory formation and is also implicated in anxiety disorders.
12. A patient with damage to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would most likely exhibit which of
the following?
A) Impaired speech comprehension
B) Difficulty with planning and problem-solving
C) Visual hallucinations
D) Loss of coordination
Answer: B) Difficulty with planning and problem-solving
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is concerned with higher-level functioning, including planning,
problem-solving, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
13. Which dopaminergic pathway is most directly implicated in the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A) Nigrostriatal pathway
– Latest 200 Q&A with Rationale | Graded A+
Study Guide
SECTION 1: NEUROBIOLOGY & NEUROTRANSMISSION (Q1–Q30)
1. Which neurotransmitter is most commonly associated with the pathophysiology of depression?
A) Dopamine
B) Serotonin
C) Acetylcholine
D) Glutamate
Answer: B) Serotonin
Serotonin (5-HT) is strongly implicated in depression, and most antidepressants target serotonergic
systems.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily associated with schizophrenia?
A) Serotonin
B) Dopamine
C) GABA
D) Norepinephrine
Answer: B) Dopamine
The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that excessive dopaminergic activity in mesolimbic
pathways contributes to positive symptoms.
,3. Which neurotransmitter is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system?
A) Glutamate
B) GABA
C) Dopamine
D) Serotonin
Answer: B) GABA
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the CNS, reducing neuronal
excitability.
4. Which neurotransmitter is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS?
A) GABA
B) Glutamate
C) Serotonin
D) Dopamine
Answer: B) Glutamate
Glutamate is the primary excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity.
5. Which receptor type is most associated with the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?
A) Serotonin 5-HT2A
B) Dopamine D2
C) GABA-A
D) NMDA
Answer: C) GABA-A
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor, enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA.
6. Which enzyme is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin?
A) Acetylcholinesterase
B) Monoamine oxidase (MAO)
C) Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)
D) Both B and C
,Answer: D) Both B and C
MAO and COMT are both enzymes involved in the breakdown of monoamine neurotransmitters.
7. What is the primary mechanism of action of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?
A) Blockade of serotonin receptors
B) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
C) Stimulation of serotonin release
D) Inhibition of MAO
Answer: B) Inhibition of serotonin reuptake
SSRIs block the serotonin transporter (SERT), increasing synaptic serotonin levels.
8. Which brain region is most associated with the reward pathway and is involved in substance use
disorders?
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Nucleus accumbens
C) Hippocampus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Nucleus accumbens
The mesolimbic pathway, which projects from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens,
is the core of the brain's reward circuitry.
9. Which brain region is primarily responsible for executive function, decision-making, and is
implicated in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia when hypofunctional?
A) Amygdala
B) Prefrontal cortex
C) Hippocampus
D) Basal ganglia
Answer: B) Prefrontal cortex
The prefrontal cortex is primarily responsible for executive function, decision-making, impulse control, and
social behavior. Hypofunction of the prefrontal cortex (hypofrontality) is associated with negative symptoms
of schizophrenia.
, 10. A patient presents with difficulty understanding spoken language and producing fluent speech.
Which area of the brain is most likely affected?
A) Broca's area
B) Wernicke's area
C) Prefrontal cortex
D) Occipital lobe
Answer: B) Wernicke's area
Wernicke's area, located in the temporal lobe, is responsible for speech comprehension. Damage results in
receptive aphasia.
11. Which brain structure is associated with both memory and anxiety?
A) Amygdala
B) Hippocampus
C) Thalamus
D) Cerebellum
Answer: B) Hippocampus
The hippocampus is involved in memory formation and is also implicated in anxiety disorders.
12. A patient with damage to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would most likely exhibit which of
the following?
A) Impaired speech comprehension
B) Difficulty with planning and problem-solving
C) Visual hallucinations
D) Loss of coordination
Answer: B) Difficulty with planning and problem-solving
The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) is concerned with higher-level functioning, including planning,
problem-solving, working memory, and cognitive flexibility.
13. Which dopaminergic pathway is most directly implicated in the positive symptoms of
schizophrenia?
A) Nigrostriatal pathway
