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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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Stereotypic movements. Repetitive motor behaviors, such as hand-flapping, rocking, and spinning, are characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These stereotypic movements serve as self-stimulatory behaviors and may help regulate sensory input.
B. Restricted interest. Individuals with ASD often display intense, fixated interests in specific topics or objects (e.g., an obsession with maps, numbers, or train schedules). These restricted interests are highly focused and often interfere with daily functioning.
C. Social communication deficit. Impaired social interaction and communication are core features of ASD. Affected individuals struggle with understanding social cues, making eye contact, interpreting facial expressions, and engaging in reciprocal conversations.
D. Receptive language dysfunction. While language delays can be present in ASD, receptive language dysfunction (difficulty understanding spoken language) is more characteristic of specific language impairment (SLI) or aphasia rather than ASD. In ASD, deficits in pragmatic (social) communication are more pronounced than in purely receptive language processing.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Delusions are a positive symptom of schizophrenia, not a negative symptom. They are false, fixed beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary. Common types include persecutory, grandiose, and bizarre delusions. Positive symptoms result from excess dopamine activity in the mesolimbic pathway.
B. Avolition is a negative symptom characterized by a lack of motivation to initiate and sustain goal-directed activities. It leads to difficulties with personal hygiene, work, and social engagement, significantly impairing daily functioning.
C. Apathy is a negative symptom marked by a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotional responsiveness. Individuals with schizophrenia may show indifference to social interactions, personal achievements, or daily activities.
D. Alogia (poverty of speech) is a negative symptom where individuals speak less and provide minimal verbal responses. This reflects impaired thought processing and reduced cognitive engagement, common in schizophrenia's mesocortical dopamine pathway dysfunction.
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