Which type of antipsychotic demonstrates effects on D2 receptors?

Prepare for the Pharmacology III – CNS Module Exam. Enhance your knowledge with detailed questions and thorough explanations. Excel in your exam!

The choice indicating that both typical and atypical antipsychotics demonstrate effects on D2 receptors is correct because both classes of medications have mechanisms of action that involve dopamine D2 receptor antagonism.

Typical antipsychotics, often referred to as first-generation antipsychotics, primarily exert their therapeutic effects through potent blockade of D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway, which helps alleviate positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Atypical antipsychotics, or second-generation antipsychotics, also show significant D2 receptor antagonism but tend to have a more balanced effect on other neurotransmitter systems, like serotonin, primarily targeting 5-HT2A receptors as well. This broader mechanism contributes to the treatment of both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia while often resulting in a more favorable side effect profile compared to typical antipsychotics.

Thus, the correct answer encompasses the pharmacological actions of both types of antipsychotics with respect to D2 receptor engagement.

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