title: Developmental changes in serotonin signaling: Implications for early brain function, behavior and adaptation.
abstract: The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) plays a central role in brain development, regulation of mood, stress reactivity and risk of psychiatric disorders, and thus alterations in 5-HT signaling early in life have critical implications for behavior and mental health across the life span. Drawing on preclinical and emerging human evidence this narrative review paper will examine three key aspects when considering the consequences of early life changes in 5-HT: (1) developmental origins of variations of 5-HT signaling; (2) influence of genetic and epigenetic factors; and (3) preclinical and clinical consequences of 5-HT-related changes associated with antidepressant exposure (SSRIs). The developmental consequences of altered prenatal 5-HT signaling varies greatly and outcomes depend on an ongoing interplay between biological (genetic/epigenetic variations) and environmental factors, both pre and postnatally. Emerging evidence suggests that variations in 5-HT signaling may increase sensitivity to risky home environments, but may also amplify a positive response to a nurturing environment. In this sense, factors that change central 5-HT levels may act as 'plasticity' rather than 'risk' factors associated with developmental vulnerability. Understanding the impact of early changes in 5-HT levels offers critical insights that might explain the variations in early typical brain development that underlies behavioral risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, 5057 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. Electronic address: sbrummelte@wayne.edu.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brummelte
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mc Glanaghy
authors.affiliation: Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute and Department of Cell and Neurobiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonnin
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Oberlander
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012701:Serotonin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin
keywords: 5-HT; SSRI exposure; epigenetics; fetal development; maternal depression; neurodevelopment