Central Nervous System Drugs: Master Medicinal Chemistry for MPharm

Question 1

Which receptor subtype is the primary target of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

GABA-A

Answer

α1-adrenergic

Answer

NMDA

Answer

5-HT1A

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Amitriptyline

Answer

Venlafaxine

Answer

Mirtazapine

Question 3

Which neurodegenerative disorder is characterized by progressive cognitive decline?

Accepted Answer

Alzheimer's disease

Answer

Parkinson's disease

Answer

Multiple sclerosis

Answer

Huntington's disease

Question 4

Which drug targets 5-HT1B/1D receptors for the treatment of migraines?

Accepted Answer

Sumatriptan

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Acetaminophen

Question 5

What is the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission

Answer

Blockade of NMDA receptors

Answer

Activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine reuptake

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a class of antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Question 7

What is the primary target site of action for antipsychotic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine D2 receptors

Answer

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptors

Answer

Glutamate NMDA receptors

Answer

GABA-A receptors

Question 8

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of opioids?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Insomnia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 9

What is the mechanism of action of cholinesterase inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase enzyme

Answer

Enhancement of dopamine release

Answer

Blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Answer

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 10

What is the primary neurotransmitter deficiency associated with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

GABA

Answer

Serotonin

Question 11

Which of the following accurately reflects the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines?

Accepted Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission

Answer

Inhibition of NMDA receptors

Answer

Blockade of sodium channels

Answer

Activation of dopamine receptors

Question 12

Which type of neurotransmitter is selectively targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Accepted Answer

Serotonin

Answer

GABA

Answer

Glutamate

Answer

Dopamine

Question 13

What is the primary therapeutic application of antipsychotic drugs?

Accepted Answer

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders

Answer

Anxiety disorders

Answer

Mood disorders

Answer

Epilepsy

Question 14

Which drug is predominantly used to treat Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Selegiline

Answer

Pergolide

Question 15

What is the primary mechanism of action of tricyclic antidepressants?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake

Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic neurotransmission

Answer

Antagonism of NMDA receptors

Answer

Stimulation of dopamine release

Question 16

Which class of drugs is characterized by its ability to antagonize dopamine?

Accepted Answer

Antipsychotics

Answer

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Antidepressants

Question 17

Which of the following is a recognized mechanism of tolerance to opioid drugs?

Accepted Answer

Downregulation of opioid receptors

Answer

Increased drug metabolism

Answer

Enhanced pain signaling

Answer

Alterations in neurotransmitter release

Question 18

In schizophrenia, which neurotransmitter system is primarily affected?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Serotonin

Answer

Norepinephrine

Answer

Acetylcholine

Question 19

Benzodiazepines primarily exert their therapeutic effects by:

Accepted Answer

Enhancing the inhibitory effects of GABA at its receptor

Answer

Blocking NMDA receptors involved in excitatory neurotransmission

Answer

Inhibiting the synthesis of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter

Answer

Increasing dopamine release in the brain

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a recognized therapeutic use of opioids?

Accepted Answer

Treating migraines, a type of headache

Answer

Managing withdrawal symptoms associated with opioid dependence

Answer

Providing relief from severe pain

Answer

Inducing anesthesia for surgical procedures

Question 21

What is the primary pharmacological effect of anticholinergics in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, reducing cholinergic activity

Answer

Enhancement of GABAergic transmission, increasing inhibitory signaling

Answer

Activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading to increased neuronal stimulation

Answer

Inhibition of dopamine transporters, increasing dopamine levels in the synapse

Question 22

A common side effect associated with tricyclic antidepressants is:

Accepted Answer

Anticholinergic effects, leading to dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation

Answer

Extrapyramidal symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and tremors

Answer

Serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition

Answer

Tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder characterized by involuntary movements

Question 23

Mood stabilizers primarily exert their therapeutic effects by:

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting voltage-gated calcium channels, reducing neuronal excitability

Answer

Activating muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, increasing cholinergic activity

Answer

Blocking dopamine reuptake, increasing dopamine levels in the synapse

Answer

Enhancing NMDA receptor activity, increasing excitatory signaling

Question 24

Which of the following drugs is a mainstay in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa, a precursor to dopamine

Answer

Lithium, a mood stabilizer

Answer

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic

Question 25

Which neurotransmitter is primarily deficient in the brain of individuals with Alzheimer's disease?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcholine, involved in memory and learning

Answer

Glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter

Answer

Dopamine, involved in movement and reward

Answer

Serotonin, a mood regulator

Question 26

A contraindication for the use of MAO inhibitors is:

Accepted Answer

Concurrent use of sympathomimetics, such as decongestants and some antidepressants

Answer

Elderly population, as they are more susceptible to side effects

Answer

History of seizures, as the drug may lower the seizure threshold

Answer

Pregnancy, as the drug can potentially harm the fetus

Question 27

The primary mechanism of action of stimulants involves:

Accepted Answer

Increasing the release or blocking the reuptake of monoamines, such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin

Answer

Blocking NMDA receptors, reducing excitatory neurotransmission

Answer

Inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine levels