Schizophrenia is associated with imbalance of which neurotransmitter system?

• A. GABA alone.
• B. Serotonin alone.
• C. Dopamine imbalance.
• D. Acetylcholine alone.

Answer: (C)

Dopamine imbalance is the best fit because schizophrenia is classically linked to dysregulated dopaminergic signaling across brain circuits. Hyperactivity of dopamine in the mesolimbic pathway is associated with positive symptoms like hallucinations and delusions, while reduced dopamine function in the prefrontal cortex is linked to negative symptoms and cognitive deficits. This uneven, region-specific dopaminergic dysregulation explains why blocking D2 receptors with antipsychotics helps treat many symptoms. Other neurotransmitters (like GABA, glutamate, and serotonin) influence the disorder, but the core teaching centers on dopamine dysregulation driving the range of clinical features.