Perinatal psychiatry: postpartum depression neurosteroid: 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 · Perinatal psychiatry: postpartum depression neurosteroid

Sample item

Which drug, a positive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors and an oral neurosteroid, is approved for postpartum depression?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Zuranolone

Zuranolone is an oral neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors and is approved for postpartum depression in a 14-day course. Brexanolone is the intravenous form. Standard antidepressants like sertraline remain first-line for most women, and breastfeeding advice should be individualised.

Option by option

  • A. Fluoxetine

    Fluoxetine is an SSRI and not a GABA-A modulator.

  • B. Zuranolone (correct)

    Correct. Zuranolone is the oral GABA-A neurosteroid for postpartum depression.

  • C. Esketamine

    Esketamine is an NMDA antagonist nasal spray.

  • D. Lithium

    Lithium is a mood stabiliser.

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, Zuranolone. Zuranolone is an oral neuroactive steroid that modulates GABA-A receptors and is approved for postpartum depression in a 14-day course.

Why is "Fluoxetine" not the answer?

Fluoxetine is an SSRI and not a GABA-A modulator.

Why is "Esketamine" not the answer?

Esketamine is an NMDA antagonist nasal spray.

Why is "Lithium" not the answer?

Lithium is a mood stabiliser.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Perinatal psychiatry: postpartum depression neurosteroid in Psychiatry. Brexanolone is the intravenous form. Standard antidepressants like sertraline remain first-line for most women, and breastfeeding advice should be individualised.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 Perinatal psychiatry: postpartum depression neurosteroid?

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.