Objective:To explore the possible effections on neuron survival rate and the change of BDNF and p-CREB induced by different concentrations of lamotrigine.Methods: The hippocampus was harvested from newborn Sprague-Dawley rats.Primary hippocampal neuron cultured for 8 days in vitro were used and divided randomly into four groups: low concentration(4 mg/L) group

middle concentration(12 mg/L) group

high concentration(12 mg/L) group and 0.1%DMSO as control.The BDNF and p-CREB levels were determined by immunohistochemistry and the cell survival rate was tested by MTT.Results:(1)compared with that in the control group

the survival of the neuron cell in all the lamotrigine groups decreased significantly(P<0.05)

but the differences of survival rate was not great among the three lamotrigine groups.(2) Compared with the control group

expression of BDNF and p-CREB on the cell in the high concentration group were significantly different from those in the control group(P<0.05).(3) BDNF and p-CREB expressing on the cell in the 12 mg/L lamotrigine concentration group were significantly different from those in the 4 mg/L and 8 mg/L lamotrigine concentration group(P<0.05).Conclusion: In the lever of 4~12 mg/L

lamtrigine can cause the neural cell death in vitro and the high concentration of lamotrigine(12 mg/L) causes the cell death by changing the expression of BDNF and p-CREB