Which adverse effect is commonly associated with first-generation antipsychotics that benztropine helps prevent?

Which adverse effect is commonly associated with first-generation antipsychotics that benztropine helps prevent?

• A. Metabolic syndrome
• B. Sedation
• C. Extrapyramidal symptoms
• D. Hyperprolactinemia

Answer: (C)

First-generation antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, which shifts the balance toward acetylcholine in the brain and leads to extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia, parkinsonian features, akathisia, and abnormal movements. Benztropine is an anticholinergic that reduces acetylcholine activity in the same regions, helping to prevent or lessen these motor side effects. So the adverse effect commonly addressed by benztropine is extrapyramidal symptoms. Metabolic syndrome is more linked to some second-generation antipsychotics, sedation is a nonspecific side effect, and hyperprolactinemia results from D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway and isn’t prevented by anticholinergics.

First-generation antipsychotics block dopamine D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal pathway, which shifts the balance toward acetylcholine in the brain and leads to extrapyramidal symptoms such as dystonia, parkinsonian features, akathisia, and abnormal movements. Benztropine is an anticholinergic that reduces acetylcholine activity in the same regions, helping to prevent or lessen these motor side effects. So the adverse effect commonly addressed by benztropine is extrapyramidal symptoms. Metabolic syndrome is more linked to some second-generation antipsychotics, sedation is a nonspecific side effect, and hyperprolactinemia results from D2 blockade in the tuberoinfundibular pathway and isn’t prevented by anticholinergics.