NR547 WEEK 3 EXAM V1 - ADVANCED
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
NEUROBIOLOGY QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (LATEST 2026 /
2027), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A 24-year-old male is started on a high-potency first-generation antipsychotic. He develops
acute sustained contraction of the neck muscles. Which pathway is primarily involved in this
adverse effect?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway, which involves dopamine projections
from the substantia nigra to the striatum, regulates motor function. D2 blockade here leads
to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily synthesized in the Locus Coeruleus and plays a
significant role in the ‘fight or flight’ response and cognitive alertness?
A. Serotonin
,B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Norepinephrine is synthesized in the locus caeruleus. It is
critical for arousal, alertness, and the sympathetic nervous system response.
3. In the treatment of Schizophrenia, negative symptoms such as alogia and avolition are
hypothesized to be caused by which neurobiological state?
A. Dopamine excess in the mesolimbic pathway
B. Dopamine deficit in the mesocortical pathway
C. Dopamine excess in the nigrostriatal pathway
D. Serotonin deficit in the raphe nuclei
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
are thought to be associated with dopamine hypofunction (deficit) in the mesocortical
pathway.
4. A patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) consumes aged cheese and red wine. Which
physiological event is most likely to occur?
A. Hypotensive crisis due to alpha-1 blockade
, B. Serotonin syndrome due to excessive 5-HT
C. Agranulocytosis due to bone marrow suppression
D. Hypertensive crisis due to tyramine displacement of norepinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine in aged foods acts as a sympathomimetic amine.
MAOIs prevent its breakdown, leading to displacement of norepinephrine from storage
vesicles and a subsequent hypertensive crisis.
5. Which antidepressant is uniquely known as a Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake
Inhibitor (NDRI) and is frequently used for smoking cessation?
A. Bupropion
B. Mirtazapine
C. Venlafaxine
D. Duloxetine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion is an NDRI. It lacks serotonergic activity, making it
useful for treating depression without sexual side effects, and is FDA-approved for smoking
cessation.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND
NEUROBIOLOGY QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS (LATEST 2026 /
2027), (A+ GUARANTEE).
1. A 24-year-old male is started on a high-potency first-generation antipsychotic. He develops
acute sustained contraction of the neck muscles. Which pathway is primarily involved in this
adverse effect?
A. Nigrostriatal pathway
B. Mesocortical pathway
C. Mesolimbic pathway
D. Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The nigrostriatal pathway, which involves dopamine projections
from the substantia nigra to the striatum, regulates motor function. D2 blockade here leads
to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) like acute dystonia.
2. Which neurotransmitter is primarily synthesized in the Locus Coeruleus and plays a
significant role in the ‘fight or flight’ response and cognitive alertness?
A. Serotonin
,B. Norepinephrine
C. Dopamine
D. GABA
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Norepinephrine is synthesized in the locus caeruleus. It is
critical for arousal, alertness, and the sympathetic nervous system response.
3. In the treatment of Schizophrenia, negative symptoms such as alogia and avolition are
hypothesized to be caused by which neurobiological state?
A. Dopamine excess in the mesolimbic pathway
B. Dopamine deficit in the mesocortical pathway
C. Dopamine excess in the nigrostriatal pathway
D. Serotonin deficit in the raphe nuclei
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia
are thought to be associated with dopamine hypofunction (deficit) in the mesocortical
pathway.
4. A patient taking Phenelzine (an MAOI) consumes aged cheese and red wine. Which
physiological event is most likely to occur?
A. Hypotensive crisis due to alpha-1 blockade
, B. Serotonin syndrome due to excessive 5-HT
C. Agranulocytosis due to bone marrow suppression
D. Hypertensive crisis due to tyramine displacement of norepinephrine
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Tyramine in aged foods acts as a sympathomimetic amine.
MAOIs prevent its breakdown, leading to displacement of norepinephrine from storage
vesicles and a subsequent hypertensive crisis.
5. Which antidepressant is uniquely known as a Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake
Inhibitor (NDRI) and is frequently used for smoking cessation?
A. Bupropion
B. Mirtazapine
C. Venlafaxine
D. Duloxetine
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Bupropion is an NDRI. It lacks serotonergic activity, making it
useful for treating depression without sexual side effects, and is FDA-approved for smoking
cessation.
