Khat in Afrabia: Human and Animal Studies

Organizers: Abdul H. Mohammed and Mustafa al'Absi

Khat ( Catha edulis , Forsk) is an evergreen shrub that is grown primarily in certain regions of East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula . Since ancient times, the leaves of khat have been chewed to alleviate fatigue and to induce euphoria. In countries like Yemen , Ethiopia , Kenya , Somalia , Uganda and Tanzania , the fresh young leaves and stems of khat are chewed for their stimulating effects and as a social tonic. Whilst previously its use was limited to the endemic regions, modern transportation methods and international travels have spread its availability to Europe, USA and Canada where it is consumed by immigrant populations from East Africa and Yemen . Khat chewing has considerable social and economic implications.

The principal psychoactive constituent of khat is the alkaloid cathinone, which is structurally related to amphetamine. Indeed, in experimental animals cathinone has been found to induce many of the effects similar to those of amphetamine. For example, cathinone, like amphetamine, causes release of tritiated dopamine in brain slices from striatum and nucleus accumbens, regions of the brain known to be involved in the behavioural effects of amphetamine. It also induces hyperactivity, anorexia and behavioural sensitizitation..

This symposium will consist of a series of lectures on the influence of khat extract and cathinone in experimental animals and will include human studies on the impact of khat use in Yemen.

Speakers and Topics

Introductory comments on khat effects on health
Mustafa al´Absi, Duluth Medical Research Institute , University of Minnesota Medical School , Duluth , MN USA

Trait Anger and Anger Expression in Khat Users and Nonusers in Yemen
Stephan Bongard *, Molham Alhabori, Najat Khalil, Mustafa al'Absi: Frankfurt University, Germany, Sana'a University, Yemen, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, U.S.A.

Working memory in regular khat users
Richard Hoffman *, Najat Khalil, Molham Alhabori, Husnia Kadri, Mustafa al'Absi: University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, U.S.A., and Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen

Behavioural and physiological effects of khat extract in rats
Nilesh Patel, Department of Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi , Nairobi , Kenya

Effects of cathinone on rat behaviour and on the self-selected circadian rhythm in the canary (Serinus canaria, Linné)
Abdul H. Mohammed*, Göran Wahlström: School of Social Sciences , Växjö University , Sweden ; and Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Umeå University , Sweden

Khat (catha edulis): Functional use and causal effects on psychotic symptoms
Michael Odenwald, Dept of Psychology, , University of Konstanz, Germany