Persistent and Dose-Dependent Neural and Metabolic Gene Expression Changes Induced by Transient Citalopram Exposure in Zebrafish Embryos.

ABSTRACT: Citalopram, a common selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been increasingly detected in aquatic environments due to ineffective removal and improper disposal. Although developmental exposure to SSRIs is linked to neurotoxicity, little is known about the persistence of gene expression alterations following limited exposure periods. Zebrafish embryos were exposed from 2 to 24 h post-fertilization (hpf) at concentrations of citalopram hydrobromide spanning surface water to therapeutic serum levels (0.03, 0.9, 50, and 250 μg/L), followed by removal of the citalopram and development until 48 hpf. Whole-embryo RNA sequencing at 48 hpf revealed a non-linear dose-response wherein the lowest dose resulted in the induction of the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

SUBMITTER: North RJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12692716 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature