Study of Volumetric Changes of Rats Brain Following Lithium Administration by Means of Stereological Methods

Purpose: Lithium is an alkali metal, which has many industrial and medical uses. These include cluster and migraine headaches, mood disorder, schizophrenia and it also is important in treatment of bipolar disorder. In this study, effects of Lithium on volumetric parameters of cerebrum were investigated by using stereological methods. Materials and Methods: Twenty mature Wistar male rats (Age: 60-70 days old) were selected and divided in two groups randomly (n=10). Administration and control groups received 0.1 percent Lithium carbonate solution and distilled water respectively as drinking water during a period of 12 weeks continuously. Then rats were anaesthetized and their cerebrum excised and fixed in modified lille's solution then tissue blocking in 4% agar was done. Blocks were sectioned to 1-millimeter thick sections by using a tissue slicer. Then a grid of standard points and objects volume of gray matter, white matter and total cerebrum were estimated by using Cavalieri prenciple. Data analysed by nonparametric statistical test of Mann Whitney. Differences between groups less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: Results showed that there were no significant differences in terms of total volume, gray matter and white matter volume of cerbrum between control and administration groups after a period of 12 weeks (p>0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that Lithium carbonate 0.1% might not affect volumetric parameters and macroscopic structure of cerebrum in rats.