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Neurology & Psychiatry 2025 Comprehensive Review –
USMLE/NBME/Clinical Board Prep | Harvard Medical School
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Autoimmune demyelinating disease of the CNS (brain, spinal cord, optic nerve).
Parkinson’s Disease
Neurodegenerative movement disorder with dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra (SN).
Alzheimer’s Disease
Progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to memory and cognitive decline, characterized by amyloid-
beta plaques and tau tangles.
Migraine
Recurrent headache disorder, often unilateral and pulsatile, involving neurovascular dysfunction and trigeminal
inflammation.
Stroke
Sudden loss of cerebral blood flow leading to neuronal injury; can be ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Schizophrenia
Chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by psychosis and disorganized thought and behavior, involving
dopamine imbalances in the brain.
Depression & Anxiety
Mood disorders that affect emotion, cognition, and physical function, often associated with monoamine
imbalances.
IFN-β
Used as a first-line, injectable treatment for relapsing MS; works by decreasing adhesion molecules and MHC-
II expression.
Dimethyl Fumarate
Oral medication for relapsing MS that activates Nrf2 and has neuroprotective effects.
Ocrelizumab
IV infusion for RRMS and PPMS that acts by depleting B-cells (anti-CD20 antibody).
Natalizumab
Treatment for highly active MS that inhibits integrin crossing the BBB but carries a risk of PML.
Levodopa/Carbidopa
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First-line treatment for Parkinson's disease that acts as a dopamine precursor combined with a DDC inhibitor.
Pramipexole, Ropinirole
D2/D3 agonists used in early Parkinson's or as an adjunct; potential for impulse control issues.
Donepezil
AChE inhibitor used for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, administered orally and daily.
Rivastigmine
AChE inhibitor used for Parkinson’s dementia; available as a patch.
Memantine
NMDA antagonist used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, often combined with an AChEI.
Haloperidol
First-generation antipsychotic that is a D2 antagonist and can cause strong EPS and increased prolactin levels.
Clozapine
Second-generation antipsychotic that is a 5-HT2A and D2 antagonist but carries a risk of agranulocytosis.
Fluoxetine
SSRI antidepressant; first-line treatment with low overdose risk.
Venlafaxine
SNRI antidepressant used for anxiety and pain as well.
Propofol
IV induction agent for anesthesia that is GABAergic with a rapid offset; may cause pain at the injection site.
Ketamine
IV induction agent for anesthesia that is an NMDA antagonist but can increase BP and cause hallucinations.
Succinylcholine
Depolarizing NMJ blocker used for intubation; carries risks of hyperkalemia and malignant hyperthermia.
Rocuronium, Atracurium
Non-depolarizing NMJ blockers used in surgery and ICU paralysis; Atracurium is safe in liver/renal patients.
Ondansetron
5-HT3 antagonist used as an antiemetic; may cause constipation and headache.
Atropine
mACh antagonist used for bradycardia and pre-op; has anticholinergic effects.
Neurology & Psychiatry 2025 Comprehensive Review –
USMLE/NBME/Clinical Board Prep | Harvard Medical School
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Autoimmune demyelinating disease of the CNS (brain, spinal cord, optic nerve).
Parkinson’s Disease
Neurodegenerative movement disorder with dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra (SN).
Alzheimer’s Disease
Progressive neurodegenerative disorder leading to memory and cognitive decline, characterized by amyloid-
beta plaques and tau tangles.
Migraine
Recurrent headache disorder, often unilateral and pulsatile, involving neurovascular dysfunction and trigeminal
inflammation.
Stroke
Sudden loss of cerebral blood flow leading to neuronal injury; can be ischemic or hemorrhagic.
Schizophrenia
Chronic psychiatric disorder characterized by psychosis and disorganized thought and behavior, involving
dopamine imbalances in the brain.
Depression & Anxiety
Mood disorders that affect emotion, cognition, and physical function, often associated with monoamine
imbalances.
IFN-β
Used as a first-line, injectable treatment for relapsing MS; works by decreasing adhesion molecules and MHC-
II expression.
Dimethyl Fumarate
Oral medication for relapsing MS that activates Nrf2 and has neuroprotective effects.
Ocrelizumab
IV infusion for RRMS and PPMS that acts by depleting B-cells (anti-CD20 antibody).
Natalizumab
Treatment for highly active MS that inhibits integrin crossing the BBB but carries a risk of PML.
Levodopa/Carbidopa
, 2|Page
First-line treatment for Parkinson's disease that acts as a dopamine precursor combined with a DDC inhibitor.
Pramipexole, Ropinirole
D2/D3 agonists used in early Parkinson's or as an adjunct; potential for impulse control issues.
Donepezil
AChE inhibitor used for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, administered orally and daily.
Rivastigmine
AChE inhibitor used for Parkinson’s dementia; available as a patch.
Memantine
NMDA antagonist used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease, often combined with an AChEI.
Haloperidol
First-generation antipsychotic that is a D2 antagonist and can cause strong EPS and increased prolactin levels.
Clozapine
Second-generation antipsychotic that is a 5-HT2A and D2 antagonist but carries a risk of agranulocytosis.
Fluoxetine
SSRI antidepressant; first-line treatment with low overdose risk.
Venlafaxine
SNRI antidepressant used for anxiety and pain as well.
Propofol
IV induction agent for anesthesia that is GABAergic with a rapid offset; may cause pain at the injection site.
Ketamine
IV induction agent for anesthesia that is an NMDA antagonist but can increase BP and cause hallucinations.
Succinylcholine
Depolarizing NMJ blocker used for intubation; carries risks of hyperkalemia and malignant hyperthermia.
Rocuronium, Atracurium
Non-depolarizing NMJ blockers used in surgery and ICU paralysis; Atracurium is safe in liver/renal patients.
Ondansetron
5-HT3 antagonist used as an antiemetic; may cause constipation and headache.
Atropine
mACh antagonist used for bradycardia and pre-op; has anticholinergic effects.
