Alzheimer disease: memantine: practice question

A Psychiatry 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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Psychiatry · Alzheimer disease: memantine

Sample item

Memantine is used in moderate to severe Alzheimer disease. Its mechanism is

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonism

Memantine is a low-affinity, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that reduces glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. It is used alone or added to a cholinesterase inhibitor in moderate to severe disease. Dizziness and confusion are possible adverse effects.

Option by option

  • A. Dopamine D2 antagonism

    D2 antagonism is the action of antipsychotics.

  • B. Non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonism (correct)

    Correct. Memantine blocks NMDA receptors.

  • C. Acetylcholinesterase inhibition

    Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine inhibit acetylcholinesterase.

  • D. GABA-A agonism

    GABA-A agonism is the action of benzodiazepines.

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 Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is B, Non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonism. Memantine is a low-affinity, non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist that reduces glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity.

Why is "Dopamine D2 antagonism" not the answer?

D2 antagonism is the action of antipsychotics.

Why is "Acetylcholinesterase inhibition" not the answer?

Donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine inhibit acetylcholinesterase.

Why is "GABA-A agonism" not the answer?

GABA-A agonism is the action of benzodiazepines.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Alzheimer disease: memantine in Psychiatry. It is used alone or added to a cholinesterase inhibitor in moderate to severe disease. Dizziness and confusion are possible adverse effects.

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 Alzheimer disease: memantine?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry 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.