Schizophrenia has been linked to an excess activity of:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Dopamine

Abnormal activity of certain neurotransmitters, the chemicals that carry a message across the synapse, can lead to specific psychological disorders.

Option (1) Serotonin — Incorrect. Its low activity is linked to depression, not its excess to schizophrenia.

Option (2) Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) — Incorrect. Anxiety disorders have been linked to low activity of GABA.

Option (3) Dopamine — Correct. Schizophrenia has been linked to excess activity of dopamine.

Option (4) Cortisol — Incorrect. Cortisol is not a neurotransmitter but a corticosteroid hormone. Under stress the pituitary pathway leads to its release, and it provides energy for the stress response.

Note 1: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 29-05-2026 (Slot 2).

Note 2: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2023 on 30-05-2023 (Slot 2).

NCERT (2025-26): “Factors Underlying Abnormal Behaviour … a tiny space called synapse separates one neuron from the next, and the message must move across that space. When an electrical impulse reaches a neuron’s ending, the nerve ending is stimulated to release a chemical, called a neuro-transmitter. Studies indicate that abnormal activity by certain neuro-transmitters can lead to specific psychological disorders. Anxiety disorders have been linked to low activity of the neurotransmitter gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), schizophrenia to excess activity of dopamine, and depression to low activity of serotonin.…”

“Nature of Stress … At the physiological level, arousal plays a key role in stress-related behaviours. The hypothalamus initiates action along two pathways. The first pathway involves the autonomic nervous system. The adrenal gland releases large amount of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine) into the blood stream. This leads to physiological changes seen in fight-or-flight response. The second pathway involves the pituitary gland, which secretes the corticosteroid (cortisol) which provides energy.…”