Which dopamine pathway is responsible for the positive symptoms of schizophrenia?
Mesolimbic pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway
Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Mesocortical pathway
The Correct Answer is A
A. Mesolimbic pathway is associated with reward, motivation, and emotions and is hyperactive in schizophrenia, leading to positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine (D2) receptors in this pathway, reducing psychotic symptoms.
B. Nigrostriatal pathway controls motor function and coordination. Dopamine blockade in this pathway leads to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremors, rigidity, and tardive dyskinesia, which are common side effects of first-generation antipsychotics (typical antipsychotics).
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway regulates prolactin secretion. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release, so blocking D2 receptors with antipsychotics leads to increased prolactin levels, causing gynecomastia, galactorrhea, and menstrual irregularities.
D. Mesocortical pathway is responsible for cognition, motivation, and emotional regulation. In schizophrenia, this pathway is hypoactive, contributing to negative symptoms such as apathy, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Repeated passage of saliva into clothing. There is no recognized disorder characterized by excessive saliva passage onto clothing. However, sialorrhea (excessive drooling) may occur in neurological conditions like cerebral palsy or as a side effect of medications like clozapine.
B. Repeated passage of feces into clothing. Encopresis is the repeated, involuntary or intentional passage of feces into inappropriate places, such as clothing or the floor, in children older than 4 years. It is often associated with chronic constipation, stool retention, and overflow incontinence, though it can also occur in response to emotional stress or behavioral issues.
C. Repeated passage of rights. This phrase does not correspond to any recognized medical or psychiatric condition.
D. Repeated voiding of urine into bed or clothing. This describes enuresis, not encopresis. Enuresis is the repeated involuntary or intentional voiding of urine into bed or clothing, occurring at least twice a week for three consecutive months in children older than 5 years. It can be nocturnal (night-time bedwetting), diurnal (daytime), or both.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Lack of motivation. Avolition, not alogia, refers to a severe lack of motivation to initiate and sustain goal-directed activities. It is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia, leading to difficulties in completing tasks such as hygiene, work, or social activities.
B. No empathy. Lack of empathy is more commonly associated with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) rather than schizophrenia. Individuals with schizophrenia may struggle with social interactions, but this is due to cognitive deficits rather than a lack of concern for others.
C. Reduction in quantity of words spoken. Alogia refers to poverty of speech, characterized by diminished verbal output and difficulty generating spontaneous speech. It is a negative symptom of schizophrenia, often presenting as brief, empty responses or difficulty engaging in conversation.
D. Inability to experience pleasure. Anhedonia refers to the inability to feel pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It is another negative symptom of schizophrenia and is also seen in major depressive disorder and other mood disorders.
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