Histopathological study of apoptotic cerebellar Purkinje neurons after extended Lithium Carbonate Oral Ingestion on Albino Rats.

Objective: To evaluate the purkinje neuronal apoptosis after extended Lithium treatment.Methodology: This experimental research was conducted at Department of Anatomy, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Institute Karachi; from 1st of March 2020 to 2nd of May 2020.Twenty-four healthy male albino rats aged 11 to 12 weeks having body weights between 230 to 260 grams were selected and divided into two Groups A & B. The Control group (A) was given lab diet and animals of experiment group (B) were given the same diet as for animals of group A, along with Lithium carbonate tablet for a period of 8 weeks. Animals that had developed disease during the study period were excluded. Results were recorded in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed in both groups on SPSS version -21.Results: On histological examination of cerebellar cortex there was decreased number of Purkinje neurons after 8 weeks of lithium ingestion. A highly significantly decreased p value < 0.000 was found in B group rodents as compared to that in control Group A.Conclusion: This histological study had concluded that extended treatment with lithium results in purkinje neuronal damage in rat models. Keywords: Tentorium cerebelli, Purkinje neurons, Bipolar disorder, Mania, Depression.