Prepare for the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Exam with flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Each question includes insights and explanations to help you excel. Get ready for your certification journey!

Multiple Choice

Memantine acts on what neurotransmitter?

Memantine targets the glutamatergic system by acting as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and excessive NMDA receptor activation can lead to excitotoxicity with calcium overload and neuronal damage, a process implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine binds inside the NMDA receptor channel in a use- and voltage-dependent way, blocking pathological activation while allowing normal signaling to continue. This mechanism is distinct from drugs that enhance or inhibit acetylcholine, dopamine, or serotonin, making glutamate the correct neurotransmitter.

Memantine targets the glutamatergic system by acting as an NMDA receptor antagonist. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and excessive NMDA receptor activation can lead to excitotoxicity with calcium overload and neuronal damage, a process implicated in Alzheimer’s disease. Memantine binds inside the NMDA receptor channel in a use- and voltage-dependent way, blocking pathological activation while allowing normal signaling to continue. This mechanism is distinct from drugs that enhance or inhibit acetylcholine, dopamine, or serotonin, making glutamate the correct neurotransmitter.