Developmental effects of SSRIs: lessons learned from animal studies

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are utilized in the treatment of depression in pregnant and lactating women. SSRIs may be passed to the fetus through the placenta and the neonate through breastfeeding, potentially exposing them to SSRIs during peri‐ and postnatal development. However...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of developmental neuroscience 2007-10, Vol.25 (6), p.341-347
Main Authors: Borue, Xenia, Chen, John, Condron, Barry G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Brain - drug effects
Brain - embryology
Brain - physiopathology
CNS development
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Humans
Monoamine Oxidase - drug effects
Monoamine Oxidase - metabolism
Neurotransmitter
Pregnancy
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - metabolism
Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - physiopathology
Serotonin
Serotonin - metabolism
Serotonin - physiology
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - drug effects
Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins - metabolism
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects
Synaptic Transmission - drug effects
Synaptic Transmission - physiology
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Summary:Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are utilized in the treatment of depression in pregnant and lactating women. SSRIs may be passed to the fetus through the placenta and the neonate through breastfeeding, potentially exposing them to SSRIs during peri‐ and postnatal development. However, the long‐term effects of this SSRI exposure are still largely unknown. The simplicity and genetic amenability of model organisms provides a critical experimental advantage compared to studies with humans. This review will assess the current research done in animals that sheds light on the role of serotonin during development and the possible effects of SSRIs. Experimental studies in rodents show that administration of SSRIs during a key developmental window creates changes in brain circuitry and maladaptive behaviors that persist into adulthood. Similar changes result from the inhibition of the serotonin transporter or monoamine oxidase, implicating these two regulators of serotonin signaling in developmental changes. Understanding the role of serotonin in brain development is critical to identifying the possible effects of SSRI exposure.
ISSN:0736-5748
1873-474X
DOI:10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2007.06.003