Early-life exposure to the SSRI paroxetine exacerbates depression-like behavior in anxiety/depression-prone rats.

ABSTRACT: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants are the mainstay treatment for the 10-20% of pregnant and postpartum women who suffer major depression, but the effects of SSRIs on their children's developing brain and later emotional health are poorly understood. SSRI use during pregnancy can elicit antidepressant withdrawal in newborns and increase toddlers' anxiety and social avoidance. In rodents, perinatal SSRI exposure increases adult depression- and anxiety-like behavior, although certain individuals are more vulnerable to these effects than others. Our study establishes a rodent model of individual differences in susceptibility to perinatal SSRI exposure, utilizing selectively bred Low Responder (bLR) and High Responder (bHR) rats that were previously bred for high ver

SUBMITTER: Glover ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4267992 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature