Antipsychotics: hyperprolactinaemia: 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 · Antipsychotics: hyperprolactinaemia

Sample item

A young woman on risperidone develops galactorrhoea and amenorrhoea. The mechanism is blockade of dopamine D2 receptors in which pathway?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Tuberoinfundibular

Dopamine secreted by the hypothalamus tonically inhibits prolactin release from the pituitary. D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway removes this inhibition, raising prolactin.

Option by option

  • A. Mesocortical

    Mesocortical blockade may worsen negative and cognitive symptoms.

  • B. Nigrostriatal

    Nigrostriatal blockade produces parkinsonism and dystonia.

  • C. Mesolimbic

    Mesolimbic blockade underlies the antipsychotic effect.

  • D. Tuberoinfundibular (correct)

    Correct. D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway disinhibits prolactin.

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, Tuberoinfundibular. Dopamine secreted by the hypothalamus tonically inhibits prolactin release from the pituitary.

Why is "Mesocortical" not the answer?

Mesocortical blockade may worsen negative and cognitive symptoms.

Why is "Nigrostriatal" not the answer?

Nigrostriatal blockade produces parkinsonism and dystonia.

Why is "Mesolimbic" not the answer?

Mesolimbic blockade underlies the antipsychotic effect.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Antipsychotics: hyperprolactinaemia in Psychiatry. D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway removes this inhibition, raising prolactin.

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 Antipsychotics: hyperprolactinaemia?

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.