Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication used to treat extrapyramidal symptoms. Which statement best describes its mechanism?

• A. It is an anticholinergic used to treat EPS
• B. It is an SSRI
• C. It is a benzodiazepine
• D. It is an MAOI

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that benztropine works by blocking muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain. In the nigrostriatal pathway, antipsychotic drugs block dopamine D2 receptors, which reduces dopaminergic activity and lets acetylcholine exert relatively more influence. That imbalance contributes to extrapyramidal symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and slowed movement. By antagonizing muscarinic receptors, benztropine dampens acetylcholine’s activity, helping restore balance with dopamine and lessen these motor symptoms. That’s why describing it as an anticholinergic used to treat EPS is the best fit. Other options point to different drug classes (SSRI, benzodiazepine, MAOI) that don’t describe how benztropine works.