24-year-old woman with schizophrenia presents with negative symptoms of this disorder. Antagonism at which receptor may have the greatest ability to temper her negative symptoms?

A. Dopamine.
B. Glutamate.
C. Muscarinic.
D. Nicotinic.
E. Serotonin.

1 answer

The negative symptoms of schizophrenia, which can include a lack of motivation, reduced emotional expression, and social withdrawal, are often less responsive to traditional antipsychotic medications that primarily block dopamine receptors. Recent research has suggested that targeting the glutamatergic system, particularly through modulation of the NMDA receptor, may have a beneficial effect on these negative symptoms.

Among the options provided, glutamate modulation (though not directly listed, it points towards the significance of receptor interactions that alter glutamate transmission) is considered important in the context of schizophrenia.

Thus, the suitability of the answer from the options provided would best correlate with:

B. Glutamate.

While glutamate is not directly stated in the list, it addresses the underlying concern related to treatment of negative symptoms in schizophrenia, making it the most relevant choice.