Effects of lithium on cortical cholecystokinin positive neurons in rats

  Objective   To investigate the effects of lithium on brain development, learning ability and memory capacity of rats.

  Methods   Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group and four lithium chlorde groups fed withe normal food and different dosage LiCl(3, 30, 300 and 300 mg/kg)respectively.By means of measuring the body weig ht, using Ymaze test and ABC immunohistochemistry.The different of the body weight gains and Ymaze training times of different groups and the changes of CCKpositive neur ons in cortical were observed.

  Results   Compared with the cnotrol group, 3, 30 mg/kg LiCl groups could increase the body weight and improve the ability of learning and memory of rats(P < 0.01), however, those of the rats of 300, 3000 mg/kg LiCl group were lower(P < 0.05).The number of CCK positive neurons in cortical of 3, 30, 300 mg/kg LiCl groups were sig nificantly increased compared with the control group(P < 0.05).The number of CCK positive neurons of 3000 mg/kg LiCl group was lower than that of the control group(P > 0.05).

  Conclusion   Low dose of lithium could improve the growth; the learning ability and the memory capacity obviously, butheigh dose of lithium could result in harmful effects.