Antidepressants: esketamine: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Antidepressants: esketamine

Sample item

Intranasal esketamine is approved for treatment-resistant depression. What is its primary pharmacological target?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. NMDA glutamate receptor antagonism

Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine and blocks NMDA receptors, producing rapid antidepressant action through glutamatergic signalling. It is given under supervision because of dissociation, blood pressure rise and abuse potential.

Option by option

  • A. 5-HT reuptake transporter

    Reuptake inhibition describes SSRIs.

  • B. NMDA glutamate receptor antagonism (correct)

    Correct. NMDA antagonism underlies its action.

  • C. GABA-A receptor positive modulation

    GABA-A modulation describes benzodiazepines.

  • D. MAO-A enzyme

    MAO inhibition describes phenelzine and moclobemide.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is B, NMDA glutamate receptor antagonism. Esketamine is the S-enantiomer of ketamine and blocks NMDA receptors, producing rapid antidepressant action through glutamatergic signalling.

Why is "5-HT reuptake transporter" not the answer?

Reuptake inhibition describes SSRIs.

Why is "GABA-A receptor positive modulation" not the answer?

GABA-A modulation describes benzodiazepines.

Why is "MAO-A enzyme" not the answer?

MAO inhibition describes phenelzine and moclobemide.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antidepressants: esketamine in Pharmacology. It is given under supervision because of dissociation, blood pressure rise and abuse potential.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Antidepressants: esketamine?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.