Related Experiment Videos
Saccade and cognitive impairment associated with kava intoxication
Sheree Cairney1, Paul Maruff, Alan R Clough
1The Neuropsychology Laboratory, Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia. Sheree.Cairny@menzies.edu.au
Human Psychopharmacology
|October 9, 2003
Summary
Recreational kava intoxication impairs movement and visual attention, causing ataxia and saccadic dysmetria. Complex cognitive functions remained normal, suggesting specific neurological effects from heavy kava consumption.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Kava (Piper methysticum) is used for anxiety and insomnia.
- Clinical doses of kava show minimal cognitive or motor effects.
- Effects of recreational kava intoxication are unstudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of heavy kava intoxication on cognitive and motor functions.
- To characterize the neurological and physiological changes associated with kava intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Compared performance of 11 intoxicated kava drinkers with 17 controls.
- Utilized saccade tests and cognitive assessments.
- Tested individuals 8 hours after a 14.4-hour kava session.
Main Results:
- Intoxicated individuals exhibited ataxia, tremors, sedation, and blepharospasm.
- Elevated liver enzymes (GGT, ALP) were observed.
- Saccadic dysmetria, saccadic slowing, and reduced visual search accuracy at higher complexity were noted.
Conclusions:
- Kava intoxication causes specific motor coordination and visual attention deficits.
- Complex cognitive functions were preserved.
- Saccade abnormalities suggest cerebellar and GABAergic system disruption.