Psychopharmacology: lithium mechanism: 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 · Psychopharmacology: lithium mechanism

Sample item

Which of the following mechanisms has been proposed for the action of lithium?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase and GSK-3

Lithium inhibits inositol monophosphatase (depleting inositol in the phosphatidylinositol signalling pathway) and glycogen synthase kinase-3. It also has neuroprotective effects, and the exact mood-stabilising mechanism remains incompletely understood.

Option by option

  • A. Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase and GSK-3 (correct)

    Correct. Inositol monophosphatase and GSK-3 inhibition are proposed mechanisms.

  • B. Blockade of D2 receptors

    D2 blockade is the antipsychotic mechanism.

  • C. Inhibition of serotonin reuptake

    Serotonin reuptake inhibition is the SSRI mechanism.

  • D. Inhibition of MAO

    MAO inhibition is the MAOI mechanism.

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 A, Inhibition of inositol monophosphatase and GSK-3. Lithium inhibits inositol monophosphatase (depleting inositol in the phosphatidylinositol signalling pathway) and glycogen synthase kinase-3.

Why is "Blockade of D2 receptors" not the answer?

D2 blockade is the antipsychotic mechanism.

Why is "Inhibition of serotonin reuptake" not the answer?

Serotonin reuptake inhibition is the SSRI mechanism.

Why is "Inhibition of MAO" not the answer?

MAO inhibition is the MAOI mechanism.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Psychopharmacology: lithium mechanism in Psychiatry. It also has neuroprotective effects, and the exact mood-stabilising mechanism remains incompletely understood.

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 Psychopharmacology: lithium mechanism?

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.