Comparative histoquatitative effects of lamotrigine and levetiracetam on fetal memory circuitry structurers in albino rats

Abstract

Memory, a key component of the human brain, entails the cognitive ability to encode, store, and retrieve information, that is fundamental for survival. Memory is stored in different circuitry structurers in the brain. On the other hand, Lamotrigine (LAM) and levetiracetam (LEV) are anticonvulsant medicines currently being prescribed as first line in the management of maternal conditions like unipolar depression, acute bi-polar depression, schizophrenia, fibromyalgia, among others. Use of these two medicines is guided by past literature on their efficacy and torrelability. Despite their current use, data on their comparative histoquatitative outcomes on fetal memory circuitry structurers upon their maternal exposure remains equivocal, hence the basis of this study. Data is aimed at establishing which among the two medicines is safer when used prenatally in management of maternal conditions. A post-test only with control experimental design was adopted in the study. 30 sexually mature female albino rats 250+30grams were used as experimental models. They were categorized as 3 rats for the control group and 27 rats for both LAM and LEV treatment groups. Collected data was coded in excel spreadsheets, and analysis was done using SPSS version 25. The findings of the study were expressed as mean+ standard error of mean (SEM). Values with P<0.05 were considered to have a statistical significantly difference. The comparative findings of the study delineated statistically significant reduction in means of total fetal brain volume, as well as the volume densities of memory circuitry structurers that includes; prefrontal cortex, entorhinal cortex, hippocampal gyrus, subiculum and dentate gyrus for both lamotrigine and levetiracetam. The mean reduction was observed to depict a time and dose dependency, with the most reduction being more marked in high dosages administered during the first trimester. Lamotrigine was associated with deleterious effects than levetiracetam. The study recommends further studies with animals close to human species.