Effects of chronic ibogaine treatment on cerebellar Purkinje cells in the rat.
Brain research – June 13, 1997
Source: PubMed
Summary
Chronic ibogaine exposure did not impact the number of cerebellar Purkinje cells in male Fischer 344 rats. In a study involving six rats receiving 10 mg/kg of ibogaine every other day for 60 days, the average count of Purkinje cells was 243,764, compared to 230,813 in the control group given saline. This indicates that even with ongoing administration, ibogaine does not lead to significant neuronal loss in this specific brain region, suggesting a potential safety profile regarding Purkinje cell integrity.
Abstract
The present investigation assessed the chronic toxicity of ibogaine on cerebellar Purkinje cells in male Fischer 344 rats. A behaviorally active dose of ibogaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to a group of six subjects every other day for 60 days while the control group received an equivalent volume of saline (1 ml/kg). Estimates of Purkinje cell number were determined using the optical dissector/fractionator technique. No significant differences in Purkinje cell number were observed between the ibogaine (243764[+/-32766]) and control groups (230813[+/-16670]).