The effects of maternal antidepressant use on offspring behaviour and brain development: Implications for risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. (September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Millard, Samuel J.; Weston-Green, Katrina; Newell, Kelly A.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews. Volume 80(2017)
• Page Start: 743
• Page End: 765
• Publication Date: 2017-09
• Subjects: ADD antidepressant drug -- ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- ASD autism spectrum disorders -- BSID Bayley scales of infant and toddler development instrument -- HR hazards ratio -- MDD major depressive disorder -- OR odds ratio -- SNRI serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors -- SSRI selective serotonin reuptake Inhibitors -- TCA tricyclic antidepressants; Serotonin -- SSRI -- Brain development -- Neurodevelopmental disorder -- Rodent model -- Fluoxetine -- Depression -- Pregnancy -- Antidepressant -- Autism -- ADHD; Psychophysiology -- Periodicals; Human behavior -- Periodicals; Animal behavior -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Behavior -- Periodicals; Ethology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Psychophysiologie -- Périodiques; Comportement humain -- Périodiques; Animaux -- Mœurs et comportement -- Périodiques; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Animal behavior; Human behavior; Neurology; Psychophysiology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 573.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.06.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-7634

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: 10% of pregnant women are prescribed Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Serotonin is critical to brain development and behaviour. SSRI exposure in-utero may influence brain development and offspring behaviour. We reviewed the effects of SSRI exposure on offspring development and behaviour. Abstract: Approximately 10% of pregnant women are prescribed antidepressant drugs (ADDs), with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) the most widely prescribed. SSRIs bind to the serotonin transporter (SERT), blocking the reabsorption of serotonin by the presynaptic neuron and increasing serotonin levels in the synaptic cleft. The serotonergic system regulates a range of brain development processes including neuronal proliferation, migration, differentiation and synaptogenesis. Given the presence of SERT in early brain development, coupled with the ability of SSRIs to cross the placenta and also enter breast milk, concerns have been raised regarding the effects of SSRI exposure on the developing foetus and newborns. In this review, we evaluate preclinical and clinical studies that have examined the effects of maternal SSRI exposure and the risk for altered neurodevelopment and associated behaviours in offspring. While the current body of evidence suggests that maternal SSRI treatment may cause perturbations to the neurobiology, behaviour and ultimately risk for neurodevelopmental disorders in exposed offspring, conflicting findings do exist and the evidence is not conclusive. However, given the increasing incidence of depression and number of women prescribed ADDs during pregnancy, further investigation into this area is warranted.