Neurochemical Changes in the Brain After Fetal Exposure to Fluoxetine, A Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) in Rodents

Abstract

Background: In utero exposure to Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) is considered as a risk factor for many neurodevelopmental diseases. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether prenatal SSRI exposure changes newborn brain chemistry. Method: An animal based study was designed in which utero SSRI exposed rat’s pups were compared to one without drug exposure. Neurochemical changes of the infants were assessed after 2 days of birth by estimating the levels of inflammatory cytokines, neurotransmitters and caspases in the brain exposed to SSRI at prenatal stage and compared to normal unexposed newborn. Results: Our results showed significant neurochemical changes in SSRI-exposed newborns. A significant decrease in dopamine, and serotonin levels with a remarkable decrease in noradrenaline in addition to remarkable increase of IFN-γ and caspase-3 levels was observed in the brain tissues of prenatal exposed SSRIs rat pups. Conclusion: The results suggest that prenatal SSRI treatment may affect brain development of newborn hence should be used warily during gestation period.