TITLE

Effect of an acute dose of crude kava root extract on problem solving in healthy young adults

AUTHOR(S)

Gendle, MH; Stroman, AK; Mullin, DP

PUB. DATE

December 2011

SOURCE

Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism;2011, Vol. 23 Issue 4, p160

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess if a single 200 mg oral dose (60 mg kavalactones) of a standardised 30% kava (Piper methysticum) extract produced impairments in the ability to construct novel solutions to ambiguous problems, as measured by a computerised version of the Russell Revised Short Form of the Halstead Category Test (RCat). Design: The study was designed as a randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. Setting: Academic laboratory at a private university in the United States of America.Participants: There were 54 total participants (21 males and 33 females) (age 19.9 ± 1.3 years). Intervention: Participants were randomised to either a placebo or kava group, and following a 3 h fast ingested one clear unmarked gelatin capsule that contained either 648 mg powdered gelatin (placebo) or 200 mg of a standardised 30% kava extract (60 mg kavalactones). A computerised version of the RCat was administered to each participant 60 minutes after capsule ingestion. Primary outcome measures: Problem solving ability was measured using the number of errors committed and average response time for each of the 6 subtests of the RCat. Results: Performance on the RCat did not differ between the placebo and kava groups. For both outcomes the main effect of treatment and interactions between treatment and subtest, sex and body weight were not statistically significant (p>0.15 for all tests). Conclusion: A single oral dose of 200 mg of a standardised 30% kava extract (60 mg kavalactones) had no effect on problem solving performance in young adults (as measured by the RCat). This supports prior research suggesting that unlike other anxiolytics, kava extract does not appear to induce specific cognitive impairments (such as in problem solving) at clinically relevant doses. However additional research is needed to determine if dysfunction is produced by higher doses.

ACCESSION #

69991367

 

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