Neurodegenerative and Movement Disorder
Pharmacology: Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s,
Huntington’s, Neurotransmitter Dysregulation,
Acetylcholine Deficiency, Dopamine Modulation,
GABA Depletion, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors,
Antimuscarinics, MAO-B Inhibitors, COMT
Inhibitors, Dopamine Precursors, Kinetic Tremor,
Essential Tremor Therapy, Drug Interactions,
CYP450 Considerations, Serotonin Syndrome Exam
Questions Verified and Complete with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
what neurotransmitter is decreased in Alzheimer's?
acetylcholine
Donepezil
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
Rivastigmine
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
galantamine
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
What type of drugs are beneficial for Alzheimer's PTs?
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- allow for more ACh to be in the synaptic clefts to increase brain activity
**help with memory but NOT progression
1|Page
, Drugs:
donepezil
rivastigmine
galantamine
adverse effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- tremors, myalgia, bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea
(ACH is getting increased everywhere)
- DO NOT give with CYP 2D6 or 3A4 inhibitors (will not be able to metabolize the ACheI's)
donepezil with ____________ causes ______________
donepezil with propanolol causes bradycardia
A PT presents with complaints of tremors, nausea, and diarrhea. Her medication history reveals
that she is taking ___________ for her Alzheimer's disease.
donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine
(acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)
Why can CYP 2D6 and 3A4 inhibitors not be given with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?
will cause ↑ drug levels because CYP 2D6 and CYP 3A4 metabolize acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors
Parkinson's disease is caused from a deficiency in what neurotransmitter?
dopamine
(damage to substantia nigra pars compacta)
amantadine
Ach receptor agonist & DAT blocker
- causes a decrease in Ach and an increase in dopamine in the synaptic cleft
(Parkinson's Disease)
What drug acts as an ACH receptor agonist and a DAT blocker?
amantadine
(Parkinson's Disease)
2|Page
Pharmacology: Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s,
Huntington’s, Neurotransmitter Dysregulation,
Acetylcholine Deficiency, Dopamine Modulation,
GABA Depletion, Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors,
Antimuscarinics, MAO-B Inhibitors, COMT
Inhibitors, Dopamine Precursors, Kinetic Tremor,
Essential Tremor Therapy, Drug Interactions,
CYP450 Considerations, Serotonin Syndrome Exam
Questions Verified and Complete with A+ Graded
Rationales Latest Updated 2026
what neurotransmitter is decreased in Alzheimer's?
acetylcholine
Donepezil
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
Rivastigmine
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
galantamine
acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
(Alzheimer's Disease)
What type of drugs are beneficial for Alzheimer's PTs?
acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- allow for more ACh to be in the synaptic clefts to increase brain activity
**help with memory but NOT progression
1|Page
, Drugs:
donepezil
rivastigmine
galantamine
adverse effects of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors
- tremors, myalgia, bradycardia, nausea, diarrhea
(ACH is getting increased everywhere)
- DO NOT give with CYP 2D6 or 3A4 inhibitors (will not be able to metabolize the ACheI's)
donepezil with ____________ causes ______________
donepezil with propanolol causes bradycardia
A PT presents with complaints of tremors, nausea, and diarrhea. Her medication history reveals
that she is taking ___________ for her Alzheimer's disease.
donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine
(acetylcholinesterase inhibitors)
Why can CYP 2D6 and 3A4 inhibitors not be given with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?
will cause ↑ drug levels because CYP 2D6 and CYP 3A4 metabolize acetylcholinesterase
inhibitors
Parkinson's disease is caused from a deficiency in what neurotransmitter?
dopamine
(damage to substantia nigra pars compacta)
amantadine
Ach receptor agonist & DAT blocker
- causes a decrease in Ach and an increase in dopamine in the synaptic cleft
(Parkinson's Disease)
What drug acts as an ACH receptor agonist and a DAT blocker?
amantadine
(Parkinson's Disease)
2|Page
