The Basic Neuroscience Trivia Quiz
Neuroscience is the detailed study of our nervous systems. It is one of the most extensively studied scientific fields and new discoveries related to it have been made in the past few decades. The following quiz is designed to test your knowledge on the basics of the subject and also includes a few case study related questions. Good Luck!
- 1.
A drug that decreases the activity of dopamine within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would be expected to
- A.
Induce both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
- B.
Induce only the positive symptoms of schizophrenia
- C.
Be an effective treatment for schizophrenia
- D.
Decrease the levels of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens
- E.
Be an effective treatment for thought and language disorder
Correct Answer
E. Be an effective treatment for thought and language disorderExplanation
A drug that decreases the activity of dopamine within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would be expected to be an effective treatment for thought and language disorder. This is because the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is associated with cognitive functions, and alterations in dopamine levels in this region are linked to thought and language disorders rather than inducing symptoms of schizophrenia.Rate this question:
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- 2.
PCP acts as a(n) ________ at ___________receptors
- A.
Agonist; NMDA
- B.
Antagonist; dopamine
- C.
Agonist; acetylcholine
- D.
Antagonist; NMDA
- E.
Antagonist; GABA
Correct Answer
D. Antagonist; NMDAExplanation
PCP acts as an antagonist at NMDA receptors. This means that PCP inhibits or blocks the activity of NMDA receptors in the brain. NMDA receptors are involved in processes such as learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. By acting as an antagonist at NMDA receptors, PCP disrupts the normal functioning of these receptors, leading to altered brain activity and potential effects on cognition, perception, and behavior.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Which of the following would be a negative symptom of schizophrenia?
- A.
Hearing voices that repeat senseless words and phrases
- B.
Experiencing a feeling of euphoria at the start of an episode
- C.
Believing that doctors are part of the plot to poison you
- D.
Thinking you are the most powerful being on earth
- E.
Exhibiting flattened emotional expression
Correct Answer
E. Exhibiting flattened emotional expressionExplanation
Exhibiting flattened emotional expression would be a negative symptom of schizophrenia. Negative symptoms refer to the absence or reduction of normal behaviors or emotions. In this case, flattened emotional expression means a lack of emotional responsiveness, where individuals may appear to have a limited range of facial expressions, reduced eye contact, and a lack of emotional expressivity in their speech and gestures. This is in contrast to positive symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, which involve the presence of abnormal behaviors or experiences.Rate this question:
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- 4.
In which of the following would you expect to observe an enlarged hippocampal formation
- A.
A London cabby who has 30 years of experience
- B.
A pigeon that wanders from roost to roost
- C.
A bird that only eats from your backyard feeder
- D.
A person who has just started training as a London cabby
- E.
A chickadee tested in the early summer
Correct Answer
A. A London cabby who has 30 years of experienceExplanation
An enlarged hippocampal formation is associated with spatial memory and navigation skills. London cab drivers are known to have larger hippocampal formations due to their extensive training and experience in navigating the complex roadways of London. Therefore, it is expected that a London cabby who has 30 years of experience would have an enlarged hippocampal formation.Rate this question:
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- 5.
The hippocampus receives inputs from
- A.
The entorhinal cortex
- B.
The amygdala
- C.
Various regions of the limbic cortex
- D.
All association areas of the neocortex
- E.
All of the above
Correct Answer
E. All of the aboveExplanation
The hippocampus receives inputs from the entorhinal cortex, which is responsible for relaying information from the neocortex to the hippocampus. It also receives inputs from the amygdala, which plays a key role in emotional processing. Additionally, the hippocampus receives inputs from various regions of the limbic cortex, which is involved in emotion, memory, and motivation. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of the above" as the hippocampus receives inputs from all of these sources.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Patient RB who sustained brain damage while in cardiac arrest, exhibited profound anterograde amnesia. What region of the brain was injured?
- A.
Field CA1 of the hippocampal formation
- B.
The perirhinal cortex
- C.
The parahippocamal cortex
- D.
The amygdala
- E.
The central nucleus of the amygdala
Correct Answer
A. Field CA1 of the hippocampal formationExplanation
The correct answer is Field CA1 of the hippocampal formation. The patient's profound anterograde amnesia suggests damage to the hippocampus, a region of the brain crucial for forming new memories. Specifically, CA1 is a subfield of the hippocampus that plays a significant role in memory consolidation and retrieval. Damage to this region can result in severe difficulties in forming new memories after the injury.Rate this question:
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- 7.
The verbal abilities of HM are intact except
- A.
He cannot talk of events that occurred prior to 1953
- B.
His ability to spell simple words such as "and" and "but"
- C.
He cannot talk about mathematical operations
- D.
He is not proficient in post 1953 American vocabulary
- E.
Both a and c
Correct Answer
D. He is not proficient in post 1953 American vocabularyExplanation
The correct answer is that HM is not proficient in post 1953 American vocabulary. This means that while his verbal abilities are intact, he struggles with using vocabulary that has emerged or become popular after 1953. This suggests that his language skills are limited to vocabulary that was commonly used and understood prior to that year.Rate this question:
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- 8.
The common aspect of all natural reinforcers relates to
- A.
The release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens
- B.
The release of norepinephrine within the locus coeruleus
- C.
The release of dopamine within the lateral hypothalamus
- D.
Inactivation of frontal cortex
- E.
Activation of the medulla
Correct Answer
A. The release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbensExplanation
The correct answer is that the common aspect of all natural reinforcers relates to the release of dopamine within the nucleus accumbens. This is because the nucleus accumbens is a key part of the brain's reward system, and dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in the experience of pleasure and reinforcement. When natural reinforcers such as food, water, or social interaction are experienced, dopamine is released in the nucleus accumbens, reinforcing the behavior and increasing the likelihood of it being repeated in the future.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Imagine that you have ingested a drug that prevents alcohol from binding to the GABA/A receptor just before you join friends at a bar. Which of the following would you expect to happen to you?
- A.
You show no signs of sedation, even after nine beers
- B.
One beer puts you to sleep
- C.
The pill makes the alcohol taste bitter, causing you to vomit
- D.
You find alcohol more intoxicating
- E.
You have impaired cerebellar function
Correct Answer
A. You show no signs of sedation, even after nine beersExplanation
If you have ingested a drug that prevents alcohol from binding to the GABA/A receptor, you would expect to show no signs of sedation, even after consuming nine beers. This is because alcohol's sedative effects are primarily mediated through its interaction with the GABA/A receptor. By blocking this interaction, the drug prevents alcohol from exerting its sedative effects, leading to a lack of sedation even after consuming a large amount of alcohol.Rate this question:
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- 10.
PET studies show that schizophrenic patients treated with amphetamine show ______ from the striatum and a corresponding ________
- A.
Reduced release of dopamine, increase in positive symptoms
- B.
Reduced release of GABA, decrease in positive symptoms
- C.
Greater release of dopamine, decrease in negative symptoms
- D.
Greater release of dopamine, increase in positive symptoms
- E.
Reduced release of serotonin, increase in negative symptoms
Correct Answer
D. Greater release of dopamine, increase in positive symptomsExplanation
Amphetamine is a stimulant that increases the release of dopamine in the brain. PET studies have shown that schizophrenic patients treated with amphetamine exhibit a greater release of dopamine from the striatum, which is a region of the brain involved in reward and motivation. This increased release of dopamine is associated with an increase in positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions. Therefore, the correct answer is "greater release of dopamine, increase in positive symptoms."Rate this question:
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- 11.
John has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has shown improvement in positive symptoms while taking chlorpromazine. Which of the following actions below, if taken by John, would be expected to greater worsen his positive schizophrenia symptoms?
- A.
John stops taking CPZ and takes cocaine
- B.
John takes double the CPZ dose per day
- C.
John takes reserpine in addition to CPZ
- D.
John mixes alcohol with CPZ
- E.
John ingests alpha-methyl-para-tyrosine in addition to CPZ
Correct Answer
A. John stops taking CPZ and takes cocaineExplanation
Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is an antipsychotic medication commonly used to treat schizophrenia. It helps in reducing positive symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. However, stopping the medication abruptly can lead to a relapse of symptoms, including an increase in positive symptoms. Taking cocaine, a stimulant drug, can further exacerbate the symptoms of schizophrenia, including hallucinations and paranoia. Therefore, if John stops taking CPZ and takes cocaine, it would be expected to greater worsen his positive schizophrenia symptoms.Rate this question:
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- 12.
Alternating episodes of elation and sadness are referred to as
- A.
Bipolar disorder
- B.
Severe depression
- C.
Severe mania
- D.
Unipolar depression
- E.
Schizoaffective disorder
Correct Answer
A. Bipolar disorderExplanation
Alternating episodes of elation and sadness are referred to as bipolar disorder. This mental health condition is characterized by extreme mood swings, ranging from periods of intense happiness and high energy (mania) to periods of deep sadness and low energy (depression). These episodes can last for days, weeks, or even months, and can significantly impact a person's daily functioning and overall well-being. Bipolar disorder is a chronic condition that requires long-term management and treatment.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The function of monoamine oxidase is to
- A.
Provide the precursor for the catecholamines
- B.
Convert dopamine into norepinephrine
- C.
Convert norepinephrine into epinephrine
- D.
Convert catecholamines and serotonin into inactive forms
- E.
Speed up the digestion of cheese in the gut
Correct Answer
D. Convert catecholamines and serotonin into inactive formsExplanation
Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the breakdown and inactivation of neurotransmitters such as catecholamines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine) and serotonin. It catalyzes the oxidation of these neurotransmitters, converting them into inactive forms. This process is important for regulating the levels of these neurotransmitters in the brain and maintaining neurotransmitter balance.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The monoamine hypothesis states that depression is caused by
- A.
Loss of cells in the prefrontal cortex
- B.
Insufficient activity of monoaminergic neurons
- C.
Excessive activity of dopamine systems
- D.
Overactivity of monoaminergic neurons
- E.
Excessive activity of serotonin synapses
Correct Answer
B. Insufficient activity of monoaminergic neuronsExplanation
The monoamine hypothesis suggests that depression is caused by insufficient activity of monoaminergic neurons. Monoaminergic neurons, which include serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine neurons, are responsible for regulating mood and emotions. When there is a lack of activity in these neurons, it can lead to depression. This hypothesis is supported by the effectiveness of antidepressant medications, which work by increasing the activity of monoaminergic neurons.Rate this question:
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- 15.
All of the following support the monoamine hypothesis of depression EXCEPT
- A.
Reserpine causes depression
- B.
CSF levels of 5-HIAA are low in suicidal patients
- C.
Monoamine agonists produce depression
- D.
Families of subjects with low 5-HIAAA were more likely to include people with depression
- E.
Monoamine antogonists produce depression
Correct Answer
C. Monoamine agonists produce depressionExplanation
The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that a deficiency in certain neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine, contributes to the development of depression. This hypothesis is supported by several pieces of evidence. Reserpine, a medication that depletes monoamine neurotransmitters, causes depression, indicating that low levels of these neurotransmitters are associated with depressive symptoms. CSF levels of 5-HIAA, a metabolite of serotonin, are low in suicidal patients, further supporting the hypothesis. Families of individuals with low levels of 5-HIAA are more likely to include people with depression, suggesting a genetic component to the monoamine deficiency. However, the statement that monoamine agonists produce depression contradicts the hypothesis, as agonists would increase the levels of these neurotransmitters and potentially alleviate depressive symptoms.Rate this question:
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(2).jpg "A drug that decreases the activity of dopamine within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex would be expected to")
(2).jpg "PCP acts as a(n) ________ at ___________receptors")
(2).jpg "Which of the following would be a negative symptom of schizophrenia?")
.jpg "In which of the following would you expect to observe an enlarged hippocampal formation")
(7).jpg "The hippocampus receives inputs from")
(8).jpg "Patient RB who sustained brain damage while in cardiac arrest, exhibited profound anterograde amnesia. What region of the brain was injured?")
(7).jpg "The verbal abilities of HM are intact except")
(9).jpg "The common aspect of all natural reinforcers relates to")
(12).jpg "Imagine that you have ingested a drug that prevents alcohol from binding to the GABA/A receptor just before you join friends at a bar. Which of the following would you expect to happen to you?")
(10).jpg "PET studies show that schizophrenic patients treated with amphetamine show ______ from the striatum and a corresponding ________")
(7).jpg "John has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has shown improvement in positive symptoms while taking chlorpromazine. Which of the following actions below, if taken by John, would be expected to greater worsen his positive schizophrenia symptoms?")
(5).jpg "Alternating episodes of elation and sadness are referred to as")
(8).jpg "The function of monoamine oxidase is to")
(6).jpg "The monoamine hypothesis states that depression is caused by")
(4).jpg "All of the following support the monoamine hypothesis of depression EXCEPT")
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Feb 05, 2024Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Apr 23, 2010Quiz Created by
Raskin
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