Authors: Paul Bundi Karau*, Paul Odula, Moses Obimbo, Amadi Ogonda-Ihunwo, Nkomozepi Pilani, Muriira Karau
Objectives: Chronic use of khat has been associated with neurocognitive changes. Among the cells affected and responsible for the changes in cognition are immature neurons. This study aims to outline the changes in histomorphometry of immature neurons on chronic use of khat. Materials and Methods: Young adult wistar rats were randomized into controls, and three experimental groups to receive 500mg/kg, 1000mg/kg and 2000mg/kg crude khat extracts respectively. After 6 weeks the animals were sacrificed and their brains removed. We performed immunohistochemical visualization of immature neurons using double-cortin staining. Photomicrographs of the stained sections were transferred to Image J-Fiji software to study the staining neurons. We used Kruskal-Wallis test to correlate the four animal groups in terms of astrocyte densities. Results: Double-cortin immunoreactive neurons were observed in all animal groups, and an increase in the number and complexity of the neurons was noted in khat-fed rats compared to controls, with the highest concentration noted in low dose khat (500mg/kg) compared to controls (p Conclusion: Khat use may cause an increase in immature neurons possibly due to neuronal damage with attempts at repair. Keywords: Doublecortin, Immunoreactive neurons, Prefrontal cortex.
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