Schizophrenia: dopamine pathways: 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 · Schizophrenia: dopamine pathways

Sample item

In the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia, excess dopaminergic activity in which pathway is thought to cause positive symptoms?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Mesolimbic

Hyperactivity of the mesolimbic pathway produces positive symptoms, and hypoactivity of the mesocortical pathway is linked to negative and cognitive symptoms. Blockade in the nigrostriatal and tuberoinfundibular pathways causes extrapyramidal effects and hyperprolactinaemia.

Option by option

  • A. Nigrostriatal

    The nigrostriatal pathway governs motor control, and its blockade causes EPS.

  • B. Mesocortical

    Mesocortical hypoactivity is linked to negative and cognitive symptoms.

  • C. Tuberoinfundibular

    Tuberoinfundibular dopamine inhibits prolactin, and blockade raises prolactin.

  • D. Mesolimbic (correct)

    Correct. Excess mesolimbic dopamine produces positive symptoms.

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 D, Mesolimbic. Hyperactivity of the mesolimbic pathway produces positive symptoms, and hypoactivity of the mesocortical pathway is linked to negative and cognitive symptoms.

Why is "Nigrostriatal" not the answer?

The nigrostriatal pathway governs motor control, and its blockade causes EPS.

Why is "Mesocortical" not the answer?

Mesocortical hypoactivity is linked to negative and cognitive symptoms.

Why is "Tuberoinfundibular" not the answer?

Tuberoinfundibular dopamine inhibits prolactin, and blockade raises prolactin.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Schizophrenia: dopamine pathways in Psychiatry. Blockade in the nigrostriatal and tuberoinfundibular pathways causes extrapyramidal effects and hyperprolactinaemia.

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 Schizophrenia: dopamine pathways?

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.