title: Sustained neurobehavioral effects of exposure to SSRI antidepressants during development: molecular to clinical evidence.
abstract: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are frequently used in the management of antenatal maternal mood disturbances. SSRIs readily cross the placenta and increase central serotonergic tone in the fetus. Given serotonin's key neurodevelopmental role, such prenatal exposure raises concerns about its impact on child development. Preclinical studies report enduring molecular, physiological, and behavioral consequences of developmental SSRI exposure. In humans, sustained developmental outcomes remain largely unstudied, and distinguishing between the effects of prenatal SSRI exposure and the impact of maternal mental illness remains a key challenge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. toberlander@cw.bc.ca
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Oberlander
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gingrich
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ansorge
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D002657:Child Development / Q000187:drug effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D023421:Models, Animal; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors