WALDEN NURS 6630 PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY STUDY GUIDE
CORRECTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS //
Nicotine - CORRECT ANSWERS-directly causes dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens by
binding to α4β2-nicotinic postsynaptic receptors on dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area
(VTA). In addition, _________ binds to α7-nicotinic presynaptic receptors on glutamate neurons in the
VTA, which in turn leads to dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. ________ also seems to
desensitize α4β2 postsynaptic receptors on GABA interneurons in the VTA; the reduction of GABA
neurotransmission disinhibits mesolimbic dopamine neurons and thus is a third mechanism for
enhancing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. PFC, prefrontal cortex; PPT/LDT,
pedunculopontine tegmental and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei.
Serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS-(5-hydroxytryptamine [5HT]) is produced from enzymes after
the amino acid precursor tryptophan is transported into the __________ neuron. The tryptophan
transport pump is distinct from the serotonin transporter. Once transported into the _________ neuron,
tryptophan is converted by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TRY-OH) into 5-hydroxytryptophan
(5HTP), which is then converted into 5HT by the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAADC).
_________ is then taken up into synaptic vesicles via the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2),
where it stays until released by a neuronal impulse.
axoaxonic - CORRECT ANSWERS-synaptic connections between axons of the two neurons
The chemical basis of neurotransmission - CORRECT ANSWERS-is how chemical signals are
coded, decoded, transduced, and sent along the way.
The anatomical basis of neurotransmission - CORRECT ANSWERS-is neurons and the
connections between them, called synapses, sometimes also called the anatomically addressed nervous
system, a complex of "hard-wired" synaptic connections between neurons, not unlike millions of
telephone wires within thousands upon thousands of cables
The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system - CORRECT ANSWERS-mediates how the body
metabolizes many drugs, including antipsychotics.
CORRECTLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS //
Nicotine - CORRECT ANSWERS-directly causes dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens by
binding to α4β2-nicotinic postsynaptic receptors on dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmental area
(VTA). In addition, _________ binds to α7-nicotinic presynaptic receptors on glutamate neurons in the
VTA, which in turn leads to dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. ________ also seems to
desensitize α4β2 postsynaptic receptors on GABA interneurons in the VTA; the reduction of GABA
neurotransmission disinhibits mesolimbic dopamine neurons and thus is a third mechanism for
enhancing dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens. PFC, prefrontal cortex; PPT/LDT,
pedunculopontine tegmental and laterodorsal tegmental nuclei.
Serotonin - CORRECT ANSWERS-(5-hydroxytryptamine [5HT]) is produced from enzymes after
the amino acid precursor tryptophan is transported into the __________ neuron. The tryptophan
transport pump is distinct from the serotonin transporter. Once transported into the _________ neuron,
tryptophan is converted by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase (TRY-OH) into 5-hydroxytryptophan
(5HTP), which is then converted into 5HT by the enzyme aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AAADC).
_________ is then taken up into synaptic vesicles via the vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT2),
where it stays until released by a neuronal impulse.
axoaxonic - CORRECT ANSWERS-synaptic connections between axons of the two neurons
The chemical basis of neurotransmission - CORRECT ANSWERS-is how chemical signals are
coded, decoded, transduced, and sent along the way.
The anatomical basis of neurotransmission - CORRECT ANSWERS-is neurons and the
connections between them, called synapses, sometimes also called the anatomically addressed nervous
system, a complex of "hard-wired" synaptic connections between neurons, not unlike millions of
telephone wires within thousands upon thousands of cables
The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme system - CORRECT ANSWERS-mediates how the body
metabolizes many drugs, including antipsychotics.
