Neuro Drug Quiz: Brain & Nerve Meds

1. Which neurotransmitter system is primarily targeted by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)?

Dopamine

Serotonin

GABA

Acetylcholine

2. Levodopa is used in Parkinson's disease because it crosses the blood-brain barrier, unlike dopamine. What enzyme must be inhibited to prevent its premature conversion to dopamine in the periphery?

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)

Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC)

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)

Acetylcholinesterase

3. Phenytoin is an older antiepileptic drug. Which ion channel does it primarily block to reduce neuronal excitability?

Potassium channels

Calcium channels

Sodium channels

Chloride channels

4. Benzodiazepines enhance the effect of GABA at the GABA-A receptor. Which clinical outcome does this produce?

Increased excitation of CNS neurons

Enhanced seizure activity

Sedation, anxiolysis, and anticonvulsant effects

Increased dopamine release

5. Gabapentin is effective for neuropathic pain. What is its presumed mechanism of action?

Blocks NMDA receptors

Binds to alpha-2-delta subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels

Inhibits monoamine reuptake

Blocks sodium channels

6. Tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline block reuptake of which two monoamines?

Serotonin and dopamine

Norepinephrine and serotonin

Dopamine and acetylcholine

GABA and glutamate

7. Which of the following is a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor used as an antidepressant?

Fluoxetine

Phenelzine

Venlafaxine

Bupropion

8. Valproic acid is used for seizure control and mood stabilization. What is one of its proposed mechanisms?

GABA synthesis enhancement and histone deacetylase inhibition

Dopamine agonism

Acetylcholine receptor blockade

Glutamate agonism

9. Lamotrigine is particularly effective for bipolar depression. Which ion channels does it primarily block?

Potassium and chloride channels

Calcium and potassium channels

Sodium and calcium channels

GABA and glutamate channels

10. SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) differ from SSRIs by also blocking reuptake of which neurotransmitter?

Dopamine

Norepinephrine

GABA

Acetylcholine

11. Donepezil is used in Alzheimer's disease. What enzyme does it inhibit to increase acetylcholine levels?

Monoamine oxidase

Acetylcholinesterase

Catechol-O-methyltransferase

Glutaminase

12. Topiramate is an anticonvulsant with multiple mechanisms. Which of the following is NOT one of them?

Sodium channel blockade

GABA-A receptor enhancement

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition

Dopamine agonism

13. Carbamazepine induces its own metabolism. What is the clinical consequence of this autoinduction?

Drug levels increase over time

Drug levels decrease over time, reducing efficacy

The drug becomes more toxic

No change in drug levels

14. Which antidepressant class works primarily by inhibiting dopamine reuptake in addition to norepinephrine?

Bupropion

Citalopram

Sertraline

Paroxetine

15. Pregabalin, like gabapentin, is used for neuropathic pain. What is its primary mechanism of action?

Serotonin reuptake inhibition

Binding to alpha-2-delta subunits of calcium channels

GABA-B receptor agonism