Question 1

Describe the evidence linking serotonin and aggression in both humans and animal models. Give examples involving specific serotonin receptor subtypes.

Accepted Answer

Reduced cerebrospinal fluid concentrations of 5-HIAA have been linked to increased aggressiveness in patients with borderline personality disorder or more generally in people who exhibit antisocial behavior. In animal studies, aggressive behavior was decreased by administration of an SSRI, whereas aggressive behavior was increased by administration of a serotonin neurotoxin or a tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor. Administration to rodents of either a 5-HT_1A or a 5-HT_1B receptor agonist reduces aggressive behavior, possibly due to the autoreceptor activity of these drugs.

Question 2

The activity of serotonergic neurons in humans can be determined indirectly by measuring

Accepted Answer

A)  levels of 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  levels of 5-HIAA in blood. 
C)  levels of 5-HT in cerebrospinal fluid. 
D)  activation of SERT. 
A)  levels of 5-HIAA in cerebrospinal fluid. 
B)  levels of 5-HIAA in blood. 
C)  levels of 5-HT in cerebrospinal fluid. 
D)  activation of SERT. A

Question 3

Another name for serotonin is

Accepted Answer

A)  5-hydroxytryptophan. 
B)  tryptophan. 
C)  5-hydroxytryptamine. 
D)  tryptamine. 
A)  5-hydroxytryptophan. 
B)  tryptophan. 
C)  5-hydroxytryptamine. 
D)  tryptamine. C

Question 4

Imagine you are in charge of research and development of a pain medication program at a major pharmaceutical company. Assuming that you are targeting the serotonergic system in your drug development program, what pain model should you focus on? What kinds of changes in pain sensitivity have been associated with this pain model? List two different serotonergic receptors for which agonist drugs have been successful in alleviating pain in animal research.

Accepted Answer

The pain model to focus on is neuropathi

Question 5

One potential consequence of administration of an amino acid cocktail to human subjects is that

Accepted Answer

A)  depressed subjects may experience a total remission of depressive symptoms if given a tryptophan-free cocktail. 
B)  serotonin syndrome can result. 
C)  previously healthy subjects can develop depression and anxiety if given a tryptophan-containing cocktail. 
D)  previously depressed but currently recovered patients maintained on a 5-HT-based antidepressant developed symptoms of depression if given a tryptophan-free cocktail. 
A)  depressed subjects may experience a total remission of depressive symptoms if given a tryptophan-free cocktail. 
B)  serotonin syndrome can result. 
C)  previously healthy subjects can develop depression and anxiety if given a tryptophan-containing cocktail. 
D)  previously depressed but currently recovered patients maintained on a 5-HT-based antidepressant developed symptoms of depression if given a tryptophan-free cocktail.

Question 6

Which statement regarding serotonin and anxiety is false?

Accepted Answer

A)  Buspirone is an effective antianxiety medication and a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors. 
B)  Knockout mice lacking 5-HT1A receptors show increased anxiety on the elevated zero maze. 
C)  Knockout mice lacking 5-HT2A receptors show decreased anxiety-like behaviors. 
D)  The 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist mCPP is an effective antianxiety medication. 
A)  Buspirone is an effective antianxiety medication and a partial agonist at 5-HT1A receptors. 
B)  Knockout mice lacking 5-HT1A receptors show increased anxiety on the elevated zero maze. 
C)  Knockout mice lacking 5-HT2A receptors show decreased anxiety-like behaviors. 
D)  The 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonist mCPP is an effective antianxiety medication.

Question 7

All of the following can increase the presence of serotonin in the synaptic cleft except

Accepted Answer

A)  DOI. 
B)  MDMA. 
C)  fenfluramine. 
D)  fluoxetine. 
A)  DOI. 
B)  MDMA. 
C)  fenfluramine. 
D)  fluoxetine.

Question 8

Describe the synthesis of serotonin and explain why serotonin levels in the brain can be increased by consumption of a high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal.

Accepted Answer

Serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan

Question 9

Later generation drugs used to treat schizophrenia, such as clozapine and risperidone, block/activate _______ receptors and produce _______ motor side effects.

Accepted Answer

A)  D2; severe 
B)  5-HT2A; fewer 
C)  5-HT2A; severe 
D)  both D2 and 5-HT2A; severe 
A)  D2; severe 
B)  5-HT2A; fewer 
C)  5-HT2A; severe 
D)  both D2 and 5-HT2A; severe

Question 10

Administration of a 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist

Accepted Answer

A)  impairs memory consolidation in a 1-trial fear conditioning task. 
B)  improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. 
C)  enhances learning and memory in various learning tasks in rodents and monkeys. 
D)  affects cognitive function by inhibiting cholinergic transmission in the neocortex and hippocampus. 
A)  impairs memory consolidation in a 1-trial fear conditioning task. 
B)  improves cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. 
C)  enhances learning and memory in various learning tasks in rodents and monkeys. 
D)  affects cognitive function by inhibiting cholinergic transmission in the neocortex and hippocampus.

Question 11

What type of meal is most likely to increase brain levels of serotonin in animals?

Accepted Answer

A)  High carbohydrate, high protein 
B)  High carbohydrate, low protein 
C)  Low carbohydrate, low protein 
D)  Low carbohydrate, high protein 
A)  High carbohydrate, high protein 
B)  High carbohydrate, low protein 
C)  Low carbohydrate, low protein 
D)  Low carbohydrate, high protein

Question 12

In mice with a knockout of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene,

Accepted Answer

A)  no serotonin can be synthesized in any part of the animal's body. 
B)  no pharmacological treatment has been found that is able to restore serotonin, even temporarily. 
C)  the circuitry of the serotonergic system (fiber innervation) is normal, despite the lack of serotonin. 
D)  impulsive aggression is increased compared to wild-type mice. 
A)  no serotonin can be synthesized in any part of the animal's body. 
B)  no pharmacological treatment has been found that is able to restore serotonin, even temporarily. 
C)  the circuitry of the serotonergic system (fiber innervation) is normal, despite the lack of serotonin. 
D)  impulsive aggression is increased compared to wild-type mice.

Question 13

Describe the changes in dorsal raphe cell firing rate during different behavioral states in cats.

Accepted Answer

Firing is steady at a rate of

Question 14

The 5-HT6 antagonist ________ is being tested as a potential therapeutic agent to improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Accepted Answer

A)  idalopirdine 
B)  donepezil 
C)  vilazodone 
D)  lorcaserin 
A)  idalopirdine 
B)  donepezil 
C)  vilazodone 
D)  lorcaserin

Question 15

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT)

Accepted Answer

A)  is a metabolite of serotonin. 
B)  destroys the cell bodies of the serotonergic neurons. 
C)  inhibits serotonin synthesis. 
D)  must be administered directly into the brain. 
A)  is a metabolite of serotonin. 
B)  destroys the cell bodies of the serotonergic neurons. 
C)  inhibits serotonin synthesis. 
D)  must be administered directly into the brain.

Question 16

Why might increasing levels of tryptophan in the blood not increase brain serotonin levels?

Accepted Answer

A)  It doesn't matter how much tryptophan is present, serotonin is made at a constant rate from brain stores of tryptophan. 
B)  Tryptophan cannot cross the blood-brain barrier under any circumstances. 
C)  Tryptophan competes with other amino acids for transport across the blood-brain barrier. 
D)  Insulin is required for transport of tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier. 
A)  It doesn't matter how much tryptophan is present, serotonin is made at a constant rate from brain stores of tryptophan. 
B)  Tryptophan cannot cross the blood-brain barrier under any circumstances. 
C)  Tryptophan competes with other amino acids for transport across the blood-brain barrier. 
D)  Insulin is required for transport of tryptophan across the blood-brain barrier.

Question 17

Researchers study the effects of serotonin depletion in human subjects by

Accepted Answer

A)  using the synthesis blocking drug PCPA. 
B)  administering a special milkshake that is rich in tryptophan hydroxylase. 
C)  injecting subjects with insulin to alter the ratio of amino acids in the blood. 
D)  administering a cocktail of amino acids that compete with tryptophan for entry into the brain. 
A)  using the synthesis blocking drug PCPA. 
B)  administering a special milkshake that is rich in tryptophan hydroxylase. 
C)  injecting subjects with insulin to alter the ratio of amino acids in the blood. 
D)  administering a cocktail of amino acids that compete with tryptophan for entry into the brain.

Question 18

One brain region implicated in the neural circuitry of aggression in rodents but not in humans is the

Accepted Answer

A)  amygdala. 
B)  cingulate cortex. 
C)  BNST. 
D)  hypothalamus. 
A)  amygdala. 
B)  cingulate cortex. 
C)  BNST. 
D)  hypothalamus.

Question 19

Which method(s) can be used to produce mice that lack brain serotonin throughout life, beginning with embryonic development?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administering the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor PCPA 
B)  Knocking out the gene for tryptophan hydroxylase 2 
C)  Preventing the normal differentiation of cells that are destined to become serotonergic neurons 
D)  Both b and c 
A)  Administering the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor PCPA 
B)  Knocking out the gene for tryptophan hydroxylase 2 
C)  Preventing the normal differentiation of cells that are destined to become serotonergic neurons 
D)  Both b and c

Question 20

How do 5-HT2A receptors exert their postsynaptic effects? Give an example of a 5-HT2A receptor agonist and a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist.

Accepted Answer

5-HT_2A receptors activate the ph

Describe the evidence linking serotonin and aggression in both humans and animal models. Give examples involving specific serotonin receptor subtypes.

The activity of serotonergic neurons in humans can be determined indirectly by measuring

Another name for serotonin is

One potential consequence of administration of an amino acid cocktail to human subjects is that

Which statement regarding serotonin and anxiety is false?

All of the following can increase the presence of serotonin in the synaptic cleft except

Describe the synthesis of serotonin and explain why serotonin levels in the brain can be increased by consumption of a high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal.

Later generation drugs used to treat schizophrenia, such as clozapine and risperidone, block/activate _ receptors and produce _ motor side effects.

Administration of a 5-HT₄ receptor partial agonist

What type of meal is most likely to increase brain levels of serotonin in animals?

In mice with a knockout of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene,

Describe the changes in dorsal raphe cell firing rate during different behavioral states in cats.

The 5-HT₆ antagonist ________ is being tested as a potential therapeutic agent to improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT)

Why might increasing levels of tryptophan in the blood not increase brain serotonin levels?

Researchers study the effects of serotonin depletion in human subjects by

One brain region implicated in the neural circuitry of aggression in rodents but not in humans is the

Which method(s) can be used to produce mice that lack brain serotonin throughout life, beginning with embryonic development?

How do 5-HT_2A receptors exert their postsynaptic effects? Give an example of a 5-HT_2A receptor agonist and a 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist.

Principles of Pharmacology, Structure and Function of the Nervous System

Chemical Signaling by Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Methods of Research in Psychopharmacology

Catecholamines

Acetylcholine

Glutamate and GABA

Drug Abuse and Addiction

Alcohol

The Opioids

Psychomotor Stimulants:

Nicotine and Caffeine

Marijuana and the Cannabinoids

Hallucinogens, PCP, and Ketamine

Inhalants, GHB, and Anabolicandrogenic Steroids

Disorders of Anxiety and Impulsivity and the Drugs Used to Treat These Disorders

Affective Disorders: Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Filters

Exam 5: Serotonin

Describe the evidence linking serotonin and aggression in both humans and animal models. Give examples involving specific serotonin receptor subtypes.

The activity of serotonergic neurons in humans can be determined indirectly by measuring

Another name for serotonin is

One potential consequence of administration of an amino acid cocktail to human subjects is that

Which statement regarding serotonin and anxiety is false?

All of the following can increase the presence of serotonin in the synaptic cleft except

Describe the synthesis of serotonin and explain why serotonin levels in the brain can be increased by consumption of a high-carbohydrate, low-protein meal.

Later generation drugs used to treat schizophrenia, such as clozapine and risperidone, block/activate _______ receptors and produce _______ motor side effects.

Administration of a 5-HT4 receptor partial agonist

What type of meal is most likely to increase brain levels of serotonin in animals?

In mice with a knockout of the tryptophan hydroxylase 2 gene,

Describe the changes in dorsal raphe cell firing rate during different behavioral states in cats.

The 5-HT6 antagonist ________ is being tested as a potential therapeutic agent to improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT)

Why might increasing levels of tryptophan in the blood not increase brain serotonin levels?

Researchers study the effects of serotonin depletion in human subjects by

One brain region implicated in the neural circuitry of aggression in rodents but not in humans is the

Which method(s) can be used to produce mice that lack brain serotonin throughout life, beginning with embryonic development?

How do 5-HT2A receptors exert their postsynaptic effects? Give an example of a 5-HT2A receptor agonist and a 5-HT2A receptor antagonist.

Principles of Pharmacology, Structure and Function of the Nervous System

Chemical Signaling by Neurotransmitters and Hormones

Methods of Research in Psychopharmacology

Catecholamines

Acetylcholine

Glutamate and GABA

Drug Abuse and Addiction

Alcohol

The Opioids

Psychomotor Stimulants:

Nicotine and Caffeine

Marijuana and the Cannabinoids

Hallucinogens, PCP, and Ketamine

Inhalants, GHB, and Anabolicandrogenic Steroids

Disorders of Anxiety and Impulsivity and the Drugs Used to Treat These Disorders

Affective Disorders: Antidepressants and Mood Stabilizers

Schizophrenia: Antipsychotic Drugs

Neurodegenerative Disorders

Filters

Later generation drugs used to treat schizophrenia, such as clozapine and risperidone, block/activate _ receptors and produce _ motor side effects.

Administration of a 5-HT₄ receptor partial agonist

The 5-HT₆ antagonist ________ is being tested as a potential therapeutic agent to improve cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

How do 5-HT_2A receptors exert their postsynaptic effects? Give an example of a 5-HT_2A receptor agonist and a 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist.