NR 546 Final Exam v2: Advanced Psychopharmacology Mastery with 150 Multiple-Answer Questions, Correct Answers, and Clinical Explanations Covering Receptors, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics, ADHD, Addiction, CYP Interactio

NR 546 Final Exam v2: Advanced Psychopharmacology Mastery
with 150 Multiple-Answer Questions, Correct Answers, and Clinical
Explanations Covering Receptors, Antidepressants, Antipsychotics,
Mood Stabilizers, Anxiolytics, ADHD, Addiction, CYP Interactions,
and Special Populations.




Neurotransmission & Receptor Pharmacology
(1–15)
1. Which receptors are coupled to Gq (phospholipase C, IP3/DAG
pathway)?
A) 5-HT2A
B) α1 adrenergic
C) D1
D) M1 muscarinic
Correct Answers: A, B, D
Explanation: Gq → IP3/DAG → calcium release. D1 is Gs (cAMP).
M1, 5-HT2A, α1 are Gq.

2. Which neurotransmitter systems are affected by dual reuptake
inhibitors (SNRIs)?
A) Serotonin
B) Norepinephrine
C) Dopamine
D) GABA
Correct Answers: A, B, C

,Explanation: SNRIs block SERT and NET; high-dose venlafaxine also
weakly blocks DAT. GABA is not involved.

3. Presynaptic D2 autoreceptor stimulation results in:
A) Decreased dopamine release
B) Increased tyrosine hydroxylase activity
C) Inhibition of cAMP
D) Increased postsynaptic firing
Correct Answers: A, C
Explanation: D2 autoreceptors (Gi) decrease cAMP and inhibit
dopamine release. Tyrosine hydroxylase is inhibited, not increased.

4. The glycine site on NMDA receptors is:
A) A co-agonist site
B) Blocked by ketamine
C) Enhanced by D-serine
D) The same as the glutamate site
Correct Answers: A, C
Explanation: Glycine and D-serine are co-agonists at NMDA.
Ketamine blocks the channel (PCP site), not the glycine site.

5. Which statements about nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
(nAChRs) are correct?
A) They are ionotropic
B) They mediate fast excitatory transmission
C) α4β2 receptors are implicated in ADHD
D) They are blocked by atropine
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: nAChRs are ionotropic (Na+/Ca2+). Atropine blocks
muscarinic, not nicotinic receptors.

,6. The locus coeruleus projects to which brain regions?
A) Prefrontal cortex
B) Hippocampus
C) Cerebellum
D) Spinal cord
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Explanation: Locus coeruleus (norepinephrine source) projects
widely throughout CNS, including cortex, limbic system,
cerebellum, and spinal cord.

7. Which neurosteroids are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-
A?
A) Allopregnanolone
B) Tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC)
C) Pregnenolone sulfate
D) DHEA
Correct Answers: A, B
Explanation: Allopregnanolone and THDOC potentiate GABA-A.
Pregnenolone sulfate and DHEA are negative modulators
(anxiogenic).

8. Which enzymes are responsible for catecholamine degradation?
A) MAO-A
B) MAO-B
C) COMT
D) Acetylcholinesterase
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: MAO (A and B) and COMT degrade dopamine,
norepinephrine, epinephrine. Acetylcholinesterase degrades ACh
only.

, 9. The striatum is rich in which type of dopamine receptor?
A) D1
B) D2
C) D3
D) D4
Correct Answers: A, B
Explanation: Striatum (caudate/putamen) has high D1 and D2
receptors. D3 is more limbic; D4 is cortical.

10. Activation of 5-HT2C receptors causes:
A) Anorexia (reduced appetite)
B) Anxiety
C) Weight gain (when blocked)
D) Prolactin release
Correct Answers: A, B, C, D
Explanation: 5-HT2C activation reduces appetite, causes anxiety,
and increases prolactin. Blockade (by many antipsychotics) leads to
weight gain.

11. Which anticonvulsants enhance GABA transmission?
A) Valproate
B) Benzodiazepines
C) Gabapentin
D) Lamotrigine
Correct Answers: A, B, C
Explanation: Valproate increases GABA synthesis; benzodiazepines
potentiate GABA-A; gabapentin increases GABA synthesis.
Lamotrigine blocks sodium channels (no GABA effect).

12. The mesolimbic dopamine pathway arises from:
A) Ventral tegmental area (VTA)