Asked by Esmeralda Perez on Apr 29, 2024

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Glenn has been taking a classical antipsychotic for schizophrenia. Because he wants to understand what effects the drug is having on him, he reads about how it is working in his brain. He finds that the antipsychotic medications are doing which of the following in his brain?

A) They amp it up and increase dopamine.
B) They kill dopamine receptors.
C) They block dopamine receptors, thus decreasing neurotransmission.
D) They keep dopamine active for longer periods of time in the synaptic cleft.

Classical Antipsychotic

A type of antipsychotic medication primarily used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, typically by blocking dopamine receptors.

Dopamine Receptors

Proteins located in the brain and central nervous system that interact with the neurotransmitter dopamine, influencing mood, motivation, and reward.

Neurotransmission

The process by which signaling molecules called neurotransmitters are released by a neuron and cross the synaptic gap to reach the receptor site of another neuron.

  • Recognize the neuronal signaling pathways affected by treatments for psychosis and depression.
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OL
Octavio LimpiasApr 29, 2024
Final Answer :
C
Explanation :
Classical antipsychotic medications work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, thus decreasing dopamine neurotransmission. This is believed to help reduce the symptoms of schizophrenia, which are thought to be related to overactivity of dopamine in certain parts of the brain. Option A is incorrect as this describes the effect of stimulant drugs, not antipsychotics. Option B is not accurate as antipsychotics do not kill dopamine receptors, but rather block them. Option D is also incorrect as it describes the effect of drugs that prolong the action of dopamine, such as certain antidepressants, but not antipsychotics.