title: Traditional kava use, cognition and driver fitness

authors: Aporosa, S. 'Apo'

abstract: Introduction: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional, culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which produces soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Journal of Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Most research into kava psychopharmacology has utilised kava in extract tablet form (typically 300mg per/day), with the results erroneously overlaid on kava as used in traditional settings. Very little is known about kava’s impacts on cognitive function when consumed traditionally as a drink over many hours, which often amount to more than 15 times the pharmacologically recommended dose. Approximately 70% of kava drinkers drive following use, which has prompted concerns regarding driver impairment. This research builds on two earlier studies (Aporosa et al, 2020, Journal of Human Psychopharmacology, 35[2]:e2725) to investigate the effects of kava on six cognition-related functions associated with driving. Methods: The study was guided by the Pacific Post-development Methodological Framework to ensure the ethical and equitable use of Western standardised psychometrics among Pacific peoples (Aporosa et al., Pacific Dynamics, 5[1]:74-92). Experienced male kava users (n=20, mean age = 34.75) attended a six hour traditionally influenced kava session. Each participant consumed 3.6 litres (6.33 pints) of kava, equating to 3,680mg of kavalactones. Also present were a control group of non-kava consuming males (n=19, mean age = 35.57). At baseline, the participants completed computerised somato-sensory psychometric tests (using the Brain Gauge [www.corticalmetrics.com]) to measure six strategic, tactical and operational functions, including fine-motor-skills and fatigue. Re-testing was conducted three and six hours after kava consumption. Pre/post analysis compared within person and between group differences. Statistical modelling was based on t-tests and Bayesian analysis. Results: Test data revealed significant impairment (p<0.05) to only one of the six functions assessed by the Brain Gauge ̶ Temporal Order Judgement (TOJ) [t=0.007; B=6.193]. Conclusions: When ingested in traditional use volumes, kava did not impact participants’ Focus, Accuracy, Timing Perception, Plasticity or Fatigue, but there was a significant negative impact on TOJ. TOJ (as measured by the Brain Gauge) is chiefly associated with sequencing linked to executive functions allied with decision making, behavioural control, and information processing (Aporosa et al., 2022, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 291[115080]:1-15). These new findings suggest that traditional kava use effects are unique and subtle, and manifest very differently to alcohol, cannabis and hallucinogens. Nevertheless, kava effects may compromise driver safety. The study was followed up with a culture-relevant kava drink- driving awareness campaign. Funding: The study was funded by the New Zealand Health Research Council (19/002).

text: Traditional kava use, cognition and driver fitness Introduction: Kava (Piper methysticum) is a traditional, culturally significant Pacific Island beverage, which produces soporific relaxant effects similar to Benzodiazepine (Sarris et al, 2012, Journal of Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental, 27:262-9). Most research into kava psychopharmacology has utilised kava in extract tablet form (typically 300mg per/day), with the results erroneously overlaid on kava as used in traditional settings. Very little is known about kava’s impacts on cognitive function when consumed traditionally as a drink over many hours, which often amount to more than 15 times the pharmacologically recommended dose. Approximately 70% of kava drinkers drive following use, which has prompted concerns regarding driver impairment. This research builds on two earlier studies (Aporosa et al, 2020, Journal of Human Psychopharmacology, 35[2]:e2725) to investigate the effects of kava on six cognition-related functions associated with driving. Methods: The study was guided by the Pacific Post-development Methodological Framework to ensure the ethical and equitable use of Western standardised psychometrics among Pacific peoples (Aporosa et al., Pacific Dynamics, 5[1]:74-92). Experienced male kava users (n=20, mean age = 34.75) attended a six hour traditionally influenced kava session. Each participant consumed 3.6 litres (6.33 pints) of kava, equating to 3,680mg of kavalactones. Also present were a control group of non-kava consuming males (n=19, mean age = 35.57). At baseline, the participants completed computerised somato-sensory psychometric tests (using the Brain Gauge [www.corticalmetrics.com]) to measure six strategic, tactical and operational functions, including fine-motor-skills and fatigue. Re-testing was conducted three and six hours after kava consumption. Pre/post analysis compared within person and between group differences. Statistical modelling was based on t-tests and Bayesian analysis. Results: Test data revealed significant impairment (p<0.05) to only one of the six functions assessed by the Brain Gauge ̶ Temporal Order Judgement (TOJ) [t=0.007; B=6.193]. Conclusions: When ingested in traditional use volumes, kava did not impact participants’ Focus, Accuracy, Timing Perception, Plasticity or Fatigue, but there was a significant negative impact on TOJ. TOJ (as measured by the Brain Gauge) is chiefly associated with sequencing linked to executive functions allied with decision making, behavioural control, and information processing (Aporosa et al., 2022, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 291[115080]:1-15). These new findings suggest that traditional kava use effects are unique and subtle, and manifest very differently to alcohol, cannabis and hallucinogens. Nevertheless, kava effects may compromise driver safety. The study was followed up with a culture-relevant kava drink- driving awareness campaign. Funding: The study was funded by the New Zealand Health Research Council (19/002).

year: 2022

title: Associative learning deficiencies underlying aberrant feeding in the valproate rat model of autism

authors: Lawson, Katsiaryna

subjects: autism spectrum disorder

abstract: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental condition 
prevalent in over 1% of the global population. Aberrant feeding behaviours and 
feeding dysregulation are a prevalent and understudied difficulty. Individuals with 
ASD often present with poor health outcomes, including over/under eating, obesity, 
and restrictive feeding associated with poor dietary habits, however the underlying 
mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we propose an explanation for some 
neural mechanisms that may be responsible for feeding dysregulation present in 
ASD. We demonstrate that valproate rat models of ASD (VPA ASD) have a blunted 
neural response to LiCl-induced conditioned taste aversion and show 
transcriptional changes in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Findings of this 
study also show that VPA ASD rats have significantly higher neural activation in the 
nucleus accumbens and the dorsal vagal complex in response to food, compared to 
controls. Our research suggests that some of the feeding abnormalities seen in 
people with ASD may stem from signalling deficiencies in brain areas involved in 
associative learning responses following ingestion of foods that cause malaise. 
Extremely restrictive feeding behaviours seen in ASD phenotypes may be caused by 
difficulties identifying foods that make them sick. These findings contribute to 
understanding neuromolecular drivers of anomalous feeding behaviours in people 
with ASD.

text: Associative learning deficiencies underlying aberrant feeding in the valproate rat model of autism Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental condition 
prevalent in over 1% of the global population. Aberrant feeding behaviours and 
feeding dysregulation are a prevalent and understudied difficulty. Individuals with 
ASD often present with poor health outcomes, including over/under eating, obesity, 
and restrictive feeding associated with poor dietary habits, however the underlying 
mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we propose an explanation for some 
neural mechanisms that may be responsible for feeding dysregulation present in 
ASD. We demonstrate that valproate rat models of ASD (VPA ASD) have a blunted 
neural response to LiCl-induced conditioned taste aversion and show 
transcriptional changes in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Findings of this 
study also show that VPA ASD rats have significantly higher neural activation in the 
nucleus accumbens and the dorsal vagal complex in response to food, compared to 
controls. Our research suggests that some of the feeding abnormalities seen in 
people with ASD may stem from signalling deficiencies in brain areas involved in 
associative learning responses following ingestion of foods that cause malaise. 
Extremely restrictive feeding behaviours seen in ASD phenotypes may be caused by 
difficulties identifying foods that make them sick. These findings contribute to 
understanding neuromolecular drivers of anomalous feeding behaviours in people 
with ASD.

year: 2025-04

title: Whanaungatanga: an illustration of the importance of cultural context

authors: McNatty, William

subjects: Te reo Māori

abstract: The word 'whanaungatanga' is often used by people who lack an intimate understanding of the philosophical base in Māori culture out of which it emerges. Thus, it is sometimes used simply to describe the camaraderie that can be associated with team sports or with reference to the 'glue' that connects people to one another socially. This is not necessarily a problem in itself. After all, change and development in the lexicon is a characteristic of living languages. However, real problems can emerge where words become divorced from their cultural roots to such an extent that two speakers using the same word can completely fail to understand one another. It is argued here that this is what can happen when Māori words, such as 'whanaungatanga', are used in the context of modelling in the social sciences, particularly where that modelling is conducted in the context of Western social and cultural values. In particular, the essential spiritual dimension of whanaungatanga may be overlooked or misunderstood.

text: Whanaungatanga: an illustration of the importance of cultural context The word 'whanaungatanga' is often used by people who lack an intimate understanding of the philosophical base in Māori culture out of which it emerges. Thus, it is sometimes used simply to describe the camaraderie that can be associated with team sports or with reference to the 'glue' that connects people to one another socially. This is not necessarily a problem in itself. After all, change and development in the lexicon is a characteristic of living languages. However, real problems can emerge where words become divorced from their cultural roots to such an extent that two speakers using the same word can completely fail to understand one another. It is argued here that this is what can happen when Māori words, such as 'whanaungatanga', are used in the context of modelling in the social sciences, particularly where that modelling is conducted in the context of Western social and cultural values. In particular, the essential spiritual dimension of whanaungatanga may be overlooked or misunderstood.

year: 2002-02