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Cairney S (2003) Brain dysfunction associated with petrol sniffing and kava drinking in Arnhem Land Aboriginal communities. Unpublished Doctor of Philosophy thesis, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria.

Among tribal Aboriginal groups, significant public health burden is caused by the recreational use and abuse of substances that are not commonly used in the wider community. For example, consumption patterns of both kava and petrol are heavy and chronic in remote Aboriginal populations in Arnhem Land (northern Australia) yet the brain-behavioural implications of using these substances are poorly understood.

This research involved the development of a culturally-appropriate neurobehavioural assessment battery, to assess the effects of kava and petrol abuse on brain function. Based on consensus classification, participants were rated as either current-users, ex-users or non-users and the severity of abuse was further rated according to the duration and frequency of use, and supporting biochemical data.

Chronic petrol sniffing was associated with neurobehavioural impairments that correlated with the severity of abuse and suggested deterioration of basal ganglia and cortical brain regions. Petrol sniffers who had previously suffered lead encephalopathy from exposure to leaded petrol showed additional impairments that suggested cerebellar and brainstem abnormalities. Importantly, following two years of abstinence from petrol sniffing, blood lead was reduced and neurobehavioural impairments improved and in many cases, normalised completely.

Interestingly, despite collecting data from among the heaviest reported kava drinkers in the world, we found no neurobehavioural impairments in individuals who had been heavy kava users for up to 18 years. However, current and ex-kava users showed a higher rate of kava dermopathy, lower body mass index, lowered blood lymphocytes and, in addition, current kava users showed elevated liver enzymes. Acute kava intoxication was characterized by saccade abnormalities that suggested disruption of cerebellar and GABAergic functions, and abnormalities of movement coordination and visual attention but normal performance of complex cognitive functions.

For this investigation, the same methodology and techniques were used to show specific brain changes associated with two different substances among tribal Aboriginal Australians.

Abstract reproduced with the permission of the author

For further information on this subject look in the Australian Indigenous HealthBibliography or return to the theses page.

Last updated: 14 March 2006