Pharm Tox Exam 3 UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Name the two groupings of dopamine receptors. - CORRECT ANSWER - D1-like, D2-
like
SSRIs target serotonin reuptake. However, activation of 5HT1B/1D receptors may cause
constriction of intracranial blood vessels and lead to what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
migraines
How long should you wait after discontinuation of MAOIs before beginning another anti-
depressant therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER - 14 days
What is the mechanism of action for bupropion? - CORRECT ANSWER - inhibits
reuptake of NE and DA via NET and DAT
Carbidopa blocks what enzyme to increase uptake of L-Dopa? - CORRECT ANSWER -
AADC (L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase)
Selegiline is a treatment of Parkinson's. Name its MOA. - CORRECT ANSWER - MAOI
Repetitive CAG repeats within a specific region of one of the chromosomes is a predictor for
what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Huntington's Disease
Riluzole acts at glutamatergic synapses and is used to treat what? - CORRECT
ANSWER - ALS
What are the two proteins associated with Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWER - Tau,
Amyloid-Beta
,Delusions and Hallucinations are all considered what types of symptoms of schizophrenia? -
CORRECT ANSWER - positive
What is the primary target for anti-psychotics? - CORRECT ANSWER - D2 Receptor
Partial D2 agonism alters endogenous dopaminergic signaling in what way? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Decrease endogenous dopaminergic signaling
What often used anti-psychotic has multiple mechanisms of action, antagonizes D2, and is a
potent 5-HT antagonist? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clozapine
Which neurotransmitter system can be a target for modulating dopamine release? - CORRECT
ANSWER - cholinergic system
What is the etiology of epilepsy? (multiple acceptable answers) - CORRECT ANSWER -
genetic mutations, chemical or electrical induction, symptomatic (TBI, stroke, infections, brain
tumor)
Name the mechanism of action of carbamazepine, lacosamide, and phenytoin. - CORRECT
ANSWER - sodium channel blockers
Gabapentin and Pregabalin act through what? - CORRECT ANSWER - voltage-gated
calcium channels
What is a mechanism of action for antiseizure drugs? (name 4) - CORRECT ANSWER -
modulation of voltage-gated sodium, calcium, or potassium channels; enhancement of GABA;
modification of synaptic release; decrease of glutamatergic excitation
What is the name of one of the early onset seizure types we discussed in class? (name 2) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Dravet's Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
, Mania can be caused by many things but generally involves the dysregulation/overaction of what
neurotransmitter system? - CORRECT ANSWER - Dopaminergic
Mania is often a component of what psychiatric disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Bipolar disorder
Narrow or Wide: The therapeutic index of lithium is what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
narrow
Currently, the most effective treatment for mania is what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Lithium
What can induce mania that is not bipolar disorder? (name 2) - CORRECT ANSWER -
medications (DA agonists, antidepressants, stimulants), substances of abuse (cocaines,
amphetamines)
The pharmacological target of most hypnotics that we discussed in class is _________ and
allows for passage of ___________ into the neuron. - CORRECT ANSWER - GABA-A
receptor, Chloride
Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators, meaning that they only act when GABA is
__________. - CORRECT ANSWER - Present (or released)
A patient intentionally ingested excessive amounts of diazepam. What drug would be used to
treat the toxicity? - CORRECT ANSWER - Flumazenil
Zolpidem (Ambien) binds to the benzodiazepine binding site and acts as a ______________
receptor agonist. - CORRECT ANSWER - GABA-A
True or False: Dopamine is polar and does not easily cross the BBB. - CORRECT
ANSWER - True
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Name the two groupings of dopamine receptors. - CORRECT ANSWER - D1-like, D2-
like
SSRIs target serotonin reuptake. However, activation of 5HT1B/1D receptors may cause
constriction of intracranial blood vessels and lead to what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
migraines
How long should you wait after discontinuation of MAOIs before beginning another anti-
depressant therapy? - CORRECT ANSWER - 14 days
What is the mechanism of action for bupropion? - CORRECT ANSWER - inhibits
reuptake of NE and DA via NET and DAT
Carbidopa blocks what enzyme to increase uptake of L-Dopa? - CORRECT ANSWER -
AADC (L-Amino Acid Decarboxylase)
Selegiline is a treatment of Parkinson's. Name its MOA. - CORRECT ANSWER - MAOI
Repetitive CAG repeats within a specific region of one of the chromosomes is a predictor for
what? - CORRECT ANSWER - Huntington's Disease
Riluzole acts at glutamatergic synapses and is used to treat what? - CORRECT
ANSWER - ALS
What are the two proteins associated with Alzheimer's? - CORRECT ANSWER - Tau,
Amyloid-Beta
,Delusions and Hallucinations are all considered what types of symptoms of schizophrenia? -
CORRECT ANSWER - positive
What is the primary target for anti-psychotics? - CORRECT ANSWER - D2 Receptor
Partial D2 agonism alters endogenous dopaminergic signaling in what way? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Decrease endogenous dopaminergic signaling
What often used anti-psychotic has multiple mechanisms of action, antagonizes D2, and is a
potent 5-HT antagonist? - CORRECT ANSWER - Clozapine
Which neurotransmitter system can be a target for modulating dopamine release? - CORRECT
ANSWER - cholinergic system
What is the etiology of epilepsy? (multiple acceptable answers) - CORRECT ANSWER -
genetic mutations, chemical or electrical induction, symptomatic (TBI, stroke, infections, brain
tumor)
Name the mechanism of action of carbamazepine, lacosamide, and phenytoin. - CORRECT
ANSWER - sodium channel blockers
Gabapentin and Pregabalin act through what? - CORRECT ANSWER - voltage-gated
calcium channels
What is a mechanism of action for antiseizure drugs? (name 4) - CORRECT ANSWER -
modulation of voltage-gated sodium, calcium, or potassium channels; enhancement of GABA;
modification of synaptic release; decrease of glutamatergic excitation
What is the name of one of the early onset seizure types we discussed in class? (name 2) -
CORRECT ANSWER - Dravet's Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
, Mania can be caused by many things but generally involves the dysregulation/overaction of what
neurotransmitter system? - CORRECT ANSWER - Dopaminergic
Mania is often a component of what psychiatric disorder? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Bipolar disorder
Narrow or Wide: The therapeutic index of lithium is what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
narrow
Currently, the most effective treatment for mania is what? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Lithium
What can induce mania that is not bipolar disorder? (name 2) - CORRECT ANSWER -
medications (DA agonists, antidepressants, stimulants), substances of abuse (cocaines,
amphetamines)
The pharmacological target of most hypnotics that we discussed in class is _________ and
allows for passage of ___________ into the neuron. - CORRECT ANSWER - GABA-A
receptor, Chloride
Benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators, meaning that they only act when GABA is
__________. - CORRECT ANSWER - Present (or released)
A patient intentionally ingested excessive amounts of diazepam. What drug would be used to
treat the toxicity? - CORRECT ANSWER - Flumazenil
Zolpidem (Ambien) binds to the benzodiazepine binding site and acts as a ______________
receptor agonist. - CORRECT ANSWER - GABA-A
True or False: Dopamine is polar and does not easily cross the BBB. - CORRECT
ANSWER - True
