SynthesisPloS one2021
Khat and neurobehavioral functions: A systematic review.
Synthesis in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Substance use among young people in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2024Pooled it
- Article
- Prevalence of neurocognitive dysfunction and associated risk factors among follow-up diabetic type 2 patients in diabetes center of Al-Thawra hospital, SanaFrontiers in endocrinology · 2026Article
- The regulation and control of khat use and access in Ethiopia: Policy brief.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2026Review
- Clinical and Public Health Challenge of Handling Synthetic Cathinone and Cannabinoid Abuse in Pediatric Care: A Narrative Review.Pediatric reports · 2025Review
- Substance use among healthcare professionals: A cross-sectional study in Kenya.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Perceived harms and protective behavioural strategies among khat chewers: a qualitative study in Jimma, Ethiopia.Harm reduction journal · 2023Article
- Management practice and discharge outcome of patients with psychiatric disorder admitted to psychiatry wards of selected specialized settings in Ethiopia.BMC psychiatry · 2023Article
- Article
- Article
- Changes in Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein-Immunoreactive Astrocytes in the Prefrontal Cortex of the Male Rat following Chronic Khat Use.Journal of microscopy and ultrastructureArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundKhat is a plant that is used for its amphetamine-like stimulant properties. However, although khat is very popular in Eastern Africa, Arabian Peninsula, and the Middle East, there is still a lack of studies researching the possible neurobehavioral impairment derived from khat use.
methodsA systematic review was conducted to identify studies that assessed the effects of khat use on neurobehavioral functions. MedLine, Scopus, Cochrane, Web of Science and Open Grey literature were searched for relevant publications from inception to December 2020. Search terms included (a) khat and (b) several cognitive domains. References from relevant publications and grey literature were also reviewed to identify additional citations for inclusion.
resultsA total of 142 articles were reviewed, 14 of which met the inclusion criteria (nine human and five rodent studies). Available human studies suggest that long term khat use is associated with significant deficits in several cognitive domains, including learning, motor speed/coordination, set-shifting/response inhibition functions, cognitive flexibility, short term/working memory, and conflict resolution. In addition, rodent studies indicated daily administration of khat extract resulted in dose-related impairments in behavior such as motor hyperactivity and decreased cognition, mainly learning and memory.
conclusionsThe findings presented in this review indicates that long-term khat use may be contributing to an impairment of neurobehavioral functions. However, gaps in literature were detected that future studies could potentially address to better understand the health consequences of khat use.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.