Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Regular Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth.) Users: A Preliminary Study
- Author:
Darshan Singh
1
Author Information
1. Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia. 11800 Minden, Penang. Malaysia.
- Collective Name:Darshan Singh; Yann Chye; Chao Suo; Murat Yücel; Oliver Grundmann; Muhamad Zabidi Ahmad; Eric Tatt Wei Ho; Sharif Mahsufi Mansor; Siti Rafidah Yusof; Christopher R. McCurdy; Christian Mϋller; Edward W. Boyer; Balasingam Vicknasingam
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Mitragyna speciose;
mitragynine;
kratom;
magnetic resonance imaging;
brain;
opioid
- MeSH:
brain
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2018;14(Supplement 1):65-70
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Mitragyna speciosa (Korth.) or kratom is a native medicinal plant of Southeast Asia. Commonly used by hard labours in harsh working environment, the ingestion of brewed kratom decoction is reported to produce dose-dependent stimulant and opioid-like effects. Kratom is also regularly consumed as a pain killer and as traditional cure for common maladies such as fever and cough. However, it remains unknown whether regular consumption of kratom decoction is associated with brain abnormalities in regular users in traditional settings. Methods: A total of 14 subjects (7 regular kratom users and 7 non-kratom users) voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with kratom users to determine history of kratom use and later these respondents underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the intracranial volume (ICV), cortical volumes (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital, or cingulate lobe), or subcortical volumes (striatum, hippocampus, or amygdala), as well as in the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics, fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) between kratom users and the controls. Conclusion: This preliminary study showed long-term consumption of kratom decoction is not significantly associated with altered brain structures in regular kratom users in traditional settings. However, further study is needed to establish more data for kratom use and its effects.
- Full text:11.2018my0315.pdf
