About this Study Set
This study set covers Addiction Science through
18 practice questions.
An assessment of high-level factual knowledge regarding neurobiology, pharmacology, and historical milestones in addiction science. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 18 questions from the
Advanced Addiction Science Mastery study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
Which specific subunit configuration of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor is primarily responsible for the reinforcing effects of nicotine in the ventral tegmental area?
-
A
alpha-7
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B
alpha-4-beta-2
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C
alpha-3-beta-4
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D
alpha-5-beta-3
2
In the context of opioid dependence, which medication acts as a partial agonist at the mu-opioid receptor and has a high affinity but low intrinsic activity?
-
A
Methadone
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B
Naltrexone
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C
Buprenorphine
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D
Lofexidine
3
What is the primary mechanism of action of Disulfiram, used in the treatment of alcohol use disorder?
-
A
Inhibition of aldehyde dehydrogenase
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B
Agonism of GABA-A receptors
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C
Antagonism of NMDA receptors
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D
Inhibition of dopamine beta-hydroxylase
4
Chronic cocaine exposure is primarily associated with the downregulation of which specific dopamine receptor subtype in the striatum?
5
Which brain structure is considered the primary site for the initiation of the 'incentive salience' process in drug addiction?
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A
Nucleus accumbens shell
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B
Prefrontal cortex
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C
Hippocampus
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D
Thalamus
6
What is the metabolic byproduct of ethanol that leads to the acute toxic effects associated with Disulfiram therapy?
-
A
Acetic acid
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B
Acetaldehyde
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C
Methanol
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D
Acetone
7
Which neurotransmitter system is primarily implicated in the 'anti-reward' system and the negative emotional state associated with protracted drug withdrawal?
-
A
Serotonergic
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B
Dopaminergic
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C
Dynorphin/Kappa-opioid
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D
Cholinergic
8
What is the primary pharmacological action of Varenicline, a smoking cessation aid?
-
A
Full agonist of alpha-4-beta-2 receptors
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B
Partial agonist of alpha-4-beta-2 receptors
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C
Antagonist of alpha-7 receptors
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D
Reuptake inhibitor of serotonin
9
The 'opponent-process theory' of addiction, as proposed by Solomon and Corbit, suggests that addiction is maintained by:
-
A
Positive reinforcement only
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B
A shift from homeostatic set-points to allostatic states
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C
Purely social conditioning
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D
The absence of neuroplasticity
10
Which drug is classified as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist and is often studied for its dissociative and addictive properties?
-
A
Ketamine
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B
Diazepam
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C
Baclofen
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D
Buspirone
11
What specific type of neuroplasticity in the nucleus accumbens is a hallmark of long-term exposure to psychostimulants?
-
A
Increased spine density on medium spiny neurons
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B
Decreased spine density
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C
Axonal pruning
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D
Glial cell death
12
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist used for alcohol dependence, primarily exerts its effect by blocking which system?
-
A
Endogenous opioid system
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B
GABAergic system
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C
Serotonergic system
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D
Glutamatergic system
13
Which metabolic enzyme is responsible for the conversion of heroin into 6-monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM) in the body?
-
A
Cytochrome P450 2D6
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B
Plasma esterases
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C
Alcohol dehydrogenase
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D
Monoamine oxidase
14
The 'incentive sensitization theory' of addiction, developed by Robinson and Berridge, distinguishes between which two psychological processes?
-
A
Liking and wanting
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B
Tolerance and withdrawal
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C
Reward and punishment
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D
Cognition and emotion
15
Which region of the prefrontal cortex is most consistently linked to the 'go/no-go' deficit observed in addicted individuals?
-
A
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex
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B
Anterior cingulate cortex
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C
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex
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D
Orbitofrontal cortex
16
What is the primary effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the NMDA receptor system?
-
A
Downregulation
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B
Upregulation
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C
No effect
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D
Competitive antagonism
17
Which drug is a partial agonist at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor and has been investigated as a treatment for cognitive deficits in addiction?
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A
D-cycloserine
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B
Memantine
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C
Acamprosate
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D
Naloxone
18
In the context of cannabis pharmacology, the 'entourage effect' refers to the interaction between cannabinoids and which other class of compounds?
-
A
Terpenes
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B
Flavonoids
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C
Alkaloids
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D
Phenols
