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NURS660 PSYCHOPHARM 660 EXAM 1
(LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026) QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADE A - MARYVILLE
Dopamine and Schizophrenia - ANS-Major neurotransmitter in schizophrenia
Some atypical psychotics block dopamine receptors
Increased in schizophrenia
Glutamate and schizophrenia - ANS-Considered the "master switch" of the brain. Glutamate is
the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS as it can turn on nearly all of the CNS neurons
Decreased in schizophrenia
Medications to treat negative symptoms - ANS-Vraylar, amisulpride
Hypotheses of Schizophrenia - ANS--Mesolimbic pathway is hypothesized to be hyperactive
resulting in excess dopamine at the synapse.
-The gluatamate activity at NMDA receptors is hypofunctional
Mesolimbic Pathway Theory of Schizophrenia - ANS-Mesolimbic pathway is hyperactive,
resulting in excess dopamine at the synapse which leads to positive symptoms. Hyperactivity of
mesolimbic dopamine neurons may also play a role in aggression and hostile symptoms.
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Five Different Dopamine Pathways in the brain - ANS--Nigrostriatal Dopamine Pathway
-Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
-Mesocorticol dopamine pathway
-Tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathway
-Thalamic dopamine pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway - ANS-Projects from the substantia nigra to the basal ganglia or striatum.
-Part of the extrapyramidal nervous system
-Controls motor function and movement
-When dopamine is deficient, can cause parkinsonism with tremor, rigidity, and
akinesia/bradykinesia
-Excess dopamine- can cause hyperkinetic movements, such as tics and dyskinesias
Mesolimbic dopamine pathway - ANS-Projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area to the
nucleus accumbens (part of limbic system) where many behaviors such as pleasurable
sensations, the powerful euphoria of drug abuse as well as delusions and hallucinations.
Mesocortical pathway - ANS-Projects from the ventral tegmental area to the prefrontal cortex
and is important for cognition
Tuberofundibular pathway - ANS-Projects from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland
and controls prolaction secretion
NURS660 PSYCHOPHARM 660 EXAM 1
(LATEST UPDATE 2025/2026) QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS | GRADE A - MARYVILLE
Dopamine and Schizophrenia - ANS-Major neurotransmitter in schizophrenia
Some atypical psychotics block dopamine receptors
Increased in schizophrenia
Glutamate and schizophrenia - ANS-Considered the "master switch" of the brain. Glutamate is
the major excitatory neurotransmitter of the CNS as it can turn on nearly all of the CNS neurons
Decreased in schizophrenia
Medications to treat negative symptoms - ANS-Vraylar, amisulpride
Hypotheses of Schizophrenia - ANS--Mesolimbic pathway is hypothesized to be hyperactive
resulting in excess dopamine at the synapse.
-The gluatamate activity at NMDA receptors is hypofunctional
Mesolimbic Pathway Theory of Schizophrenia - ANS-Mesolimbic pathway is hyperactive,
resulting in excess dopamine at the synapse which leads to positive symptoms. Hyperactivity of
mesolimbic dopamine neurons may also play a role in aggression and hostile symptoms.
, 2
Five Different Dopamine Pathways in the brain - ANS--Nigrostriatal Dopamine Pathway
-Mesolimbic dopamine pathway
-Mesocorticol dopamine pathway
-Tuberoinfundibular dopamine pathway
-Thalamic dopamine pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway - ANS-Projects from the substantia nigra to the basal ganglia or striatum.
-Part of the extrapyramidal nervous system
-Controls motor function and movement
-When dopamine is deficient, can cause parkinsonism with tremor, rigidity, and
akinesia/bradykinesia
-Excess dopamine- can cause hyperkinetic movements, such as tics and dyskinesias
Mesolimbic dopamine pathway - ANS-Projects from the midbrain ventral tegmental area to the
nucleus accumbens (part of limbic system) where many behaviors such as pleasurable
sensations, the powerful euphoria of drug abuse as well as delusions and hallucinations.
Mesocortical pathway - ANS-Projects from the ventral tegmental area to the prefrontal cortex
and is important for cognition
Tuberofundibular pathway - ANS-Projects from the hypothalamus to the anterior pituitary gland
and controls prolaction secretion
