Kappa receptor activation is associated with which combination?

Kappa receptor activation is associated with which combination?

• A. Produces spinal-level analgesia with less respiratory depression than delta; associated with dysphoria, psychomimetic effects, and sedation
• B. Supraspinal analgesia with strong respiratory depression
• C. Euphoria and strong physical dependence
• D. Diuresis only

Answer: (A)

Kappa receptor activation provides analgesia primarily at the spinal level and tends to spare respiration more than mu receptor activation. It also commonly causes dysphoria, psychotomimetic effects, and sedation. This contrasts with mu receptor activation, which yields strong euphoria, significant respiratory depression, and greater risk of physical dependence. It’s not characterized by the prominent euphoria or heavy dependence seen with mu agonists, nor is it described as just diuresis. Therefore, the described profile—spinal analgesia with less respiratory depression plus dysphoria, psychomimetic effects, and sedation—best fits kappa receptor activation.

Kappa receptor activation provides analgesia primarily at the spinal level and tends to spare respiration more than mu receptor activation. It also commonly causes dysphoria, psychotomimetic effects, and sedation. This contrasts with mu receptor activation, which yields strong euphoria, significant respiratory depression, and greater risk of physical dependence. It’s not characterized by the prominent euphoria or heavy dependence seen with mu agonists, nor is it described as just diuresis. Therefore, the described profile—spinal analgesia with less respiratory depression plus dysphoria, psychomimetic effects, and sedation—best fits kappa receptor activation.