NSG 552
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
(Weeks 1-3)
Psychopharmacology - Wilkes University
, Psychopharm Exam I Study Guide
Antipsychotics
NOTE: Antipsychotics must occupy more than 80% of D2 receptors to cause EPS
Mesolimbic Pathway “reward/pleasure”
• Associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia (i.e. hallucinations,
delusions etc)
Mesocortical Pathway
• Associated with the negative symptoms of Schizophrenia (i.e. cognition, affect,
apathy, behavior etc.)
Tuberoinfundibular Pathway
• Note: Dopamine inhibits prolactin.
• Therefore, blockade of dopamine= ↓DA= ↑ Prolactin
Nigrostriatal Pathway
• Blockade of DA in this pathway produces increased motor movements
e.g. EPS (Pseudo parkinsonism, Akathisia, dystonia & TD)
Neurotransmitters:
● ↑Dopamine in the mesolimbic area
● ↓Dopamine activity in the Mesocortical area
● ↓Serotonin (down regulation) in the frontal cortex
**Antipsychotic polypharmacy can increase the risk of or re-hospitalization, diabetes,
EPS, sedation, seizures, metabolic effects, mortality, and sudden cardiac death.
Positive Symptoms Negative Symptoms – 5As
Delusions (T,M) Affect (flat, constricted) (T,M)
Conceptual Alogia (absence of speech)
disorganization (T,M) (T,M)
Excitement Apathy/Avolition (T,M)
EXAM 1 STUDY GUIDE
(Weeks 1-3)
Psychopharmacology - Wilkes University
, Psychopharm Exam I Study Guide
Antipsychotics
NOTE: Antipsychotics must occupy more than 80% of D2 receptors to cause EPS
Mesolimbic Pathway “reward/pleasure”
• Associated with positive symptoms of schizophrenia (i.e. hallucinations,
delusions etc)
Mesocortical Pathway
• Associated with the negative symptoms of Schizophrenia (i.e. cognition, affect,
apathy, behavior etc.)
Tuberoinfundibular Pathway
• Note: Dopamine inhibits prolactin.
• Therefore, blockade of dopamine= ↓DA= ↑ Prolactin
Nigrostriatal Pathway
• Blockade of DA in this pathway produces increased motor movements
e.g. EPS (Pseudo parkinsonism, Akathisia, dystonia & TD)
Neurotransmitters:
● ↑Dopamine in the mesolimbic area
● ↓Dopamine activity in the Mesocortical area
● ↓Serotonin (down regulation) in the frontal cortex
**Antipsychotic polypharmacy can increase the risk of or re-hospitalization, diabetes,
EPS, sedation, seizures, metabolic effects, mortality, and sudden cardiac death.
Positive Symptoms Negative Symptoms – 5As
Delusions (T,M) Affect (flat, constricted) (T,M)
Conceptual Alogia (absence of speech)
disorganization (T,M) (T,M)
Excitement Apathy/Avolition (T,M)
