Which dopamine pathway is responsible for negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Mesolimbic pathway
Nigrostriatal pathway
Tuberoinfundibular pathway
Mesocortical pathway
The Correct Answer is D
A. Mesolimbic pathway is responsible for reward, motivation, and emotion. In schizophrenia, hyperactivity of this pathway leads to positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
B. Nigrostriatal pathway regulates motor control. Dopamine blockade in this pathway leads to extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) such as tremors, rigidity, and tardive dyskinesia, which are side effects of first-generation antipsychotics (typical antipsychotics).
C. Tuberoinfundibular pathway controls prolactin secretion. Dopamine inhibits prolactin release, so blocking D2 receptors with antipsychotics leads to hyperprolactinemia, causing gynecomastia, galactorrhea, and menstrual irregularities.
D. Mesocortical pathway is responsible for cognition, motivation, and emotional regulation. In schizophrenia, hypoactivity of this pathway is linked to negative symptoms such as apathy, anhedonia, social withdrawal, and cognitive impairment. Antipsychotics that block dopamine further worsen these symptoms, making negative symptoms more difficult to treat.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. "Made up" words. This describes neologisms, where individuals create new, nonsensical words that have meaning only to them. It is often seen in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
B. Repeating of another's words. This describes echolalia, a speech disturbance where individuals involuntarily repeat words or phrases spoken by others. It is common in autism spectrum disorder, catatonia, and some neurological conditions.
C. Thought of the speaker wanders off in another direction. Tangentiality occurs when a person's train of thought drifts away from the original topic and never returns to it. Unlike circumstantial speech, where the person eventually returns to the point, tangential thinking leads to incoherent, off-topic responses, commonly seen in schizophrenia, mania, and cognitive disorders.
D. Meaningless rhythm of words. This describes word salad, where speech consists of random, disorganized, and nonsensical words without logical structure. It is a severe thought disorder seen in advanced schizophrenia or delirium.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a leading preventable cause of intellectual disability. Prenatal alcohol exposure disrupts brain development, leading to cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and facial abnormalities.
B. Down syndrome (trisomy 21) is a genetic disorder that causes intellectual disability, developmental delays, and characteristic physical features. It results from an extra copy of chromosome 21, affecting brain development and cognitive function.
C. Serotonin syndrome is an acute, life-threatening condition caused by excessive serotonin activity due to medication overdose or drug interactions (e.g., SSRIs, MAOIs, MDMA). Symptoms include hyperreflexia, autonomic instability, and altered mental status, but it does not cause intellectual disability.
D. Fragile X syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation in the FMR1 gene on the X chromosome. It is the most common inherited cause of intellectual disability, leading to cognitive impairments, social anxiety, and hyperactivity, often resembling autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
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