Acute effects of a khat extract on the rat electroencephalogram.
Rats chronically implanted with cortical screw electrodes were treated with three different oral doses of a Khat extract and the EEG recorded for 5 h. Several abnormalities in EEG patterns were observed, particularly after the administration of the largest dose (400 mg/kg). Spectral analysis of EEG showed a significant shift of frequencies towards faster, lower voltage activity following administration of the two smaller doses (50 and 100 mg/kg), reflecting a stimulant effect of the extract. The highest degree of cortical activation was observed following administration of the smallest dose. With the largest dose, an initial activation was followed by a state of EEG depression characterized by a high percentage of slow, high voltage waves. It is concluded that Khat extract in small doses has a stimulant effect on the rat brain, but with larger doses induces a state of depression.
D000818:Animals; D029754:Catha; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004569:Electroencephalography; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D010936:Plant Extracts