Khat distorts the prefrontal cortex histology and function of adult Wistar rats
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Anatomy Journal of Africa
Abstract
Khat is a psychoactive herbal drug of pronounced ethno-pharmacological significance often abused due
to its unregulated use. It affects many brain centers including the prefrontal cortex which is the
anterior most part of the frontal lobe. The prefrontal cortex modulates working memory, planning
complex cognitive behaviors however; it is linked to many psychological disorders such as depression,
schizophrenia and memory loss. We studied the effects exerted by khat on the PFC cytoarchitecture
and functions since this part of the brain is highly interconnected with various cortical regions. This was
an experimental study of 6 weeks. A total of 24 male adult wistar rats of 130g-155g were divided into
four groups of 6 animals that received respective khat doses of 2000mg/kg, 1000mg/kg, 500mg/kg
and 10ml/kg of distilled water for the controls. Brain to body weight ratio was determined at week 6
using an analytical balance (Fisher Science Education™, RS232C; USA). Histology of the brain was
determined using H and E and Kulvers staining technique. Khat exhibited features of prefrontal cortex
disorientation such as necrosis, vacuolations, chromatolysis, demyelination, cortical degeneration and
hemorrhage in a dose dependent manner. Selective attention and working memory were impaired well
as brain to body weight ratio was reduced significantly (P ≤ 0.05). Repeated exposure to khat distorts
the prefrontal cortex cytoarchitecture and impairs selective attention and working memory accuracy
due to ischemia and cell exhaustion by khat toxicity.
Description
Keywords
Khat, Prefrontal cortex histology, Working memory, Selective attention
Citation
Echoru, I., Bukenya, E. E., Masilili, G., Owembabazi, E., Lemuel, A. M., & Ahimbisibwe, J. (2018). Khat distorts the prefrontal cortex histology and function of adult Wistar rats. Anatomy Journal of Africa, 7(1), 1121-1131.