Affiliations 

  • 1 Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia. Electronic address: sfarahwahida@usm.my
  • 2 Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Clinic, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schwabachanlage 6, Erlangen, Germany; Institute of Psychopharmacology, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany. Electronic address: christian.mueller@uk-erlangen.de
Behav Brain Res, 2024 Dec 05;480:115387.
PMID: 39643045 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2024.115387

Abstract

Despite the strict kratom regulation in some regions, the demand for kratom products is still increasing worldwide. Kratom products are commonly consumed for their pain-relieving effect or as a self-treatment for opioid use disorder. Kratom is also taken as a recreational drug among youth and adults. Since substance abuse can cause cognitive impairment, many studies investigated the effects of kratom on cognition. The interaction of some kratom alkaloids with various receptors such as opioid, serotonergic, and adrenergic receptors further sparks the interest to investigate the effects of kratom on cognitive function. Hence, this review aims to provide an overview of the effects of kratom on cognitive behaviours and their underlying changes in neurobiological mechanisms. In conclusion, kratom, particularly its main alkaloid, mitragynine may adversely affect cognitive performances that may be attributed to the disruption in synaptic plasticity, brain activity as well as various proteins involved in synaptic transmission. The impact of kratom on cognitive functions could also shed light on its safety profile, which is essential for the therapeutic development of kratom, including its potential use in opioid substitution therapy.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.