In Utero Exposure to Citalopram Mitigates Maternal Stress Effects on Fetal Brain Development.

ABSTRACT: Human epidemiological and animal-model studies suggest that separate exposure to stress or serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants during pregnancy increases risks for neurodevelopmental disorders in offspring. Yet, little is known about the combined effects of maternal stress and SSRIs with regard to brain development in utero. We found that the placenta is highly permeable to the commonly prescribed SSRI (±)-citalopram (CIT) in humans and mice, allowing rapid exposure of the fetal brain to this drug. We investigated the effects of maternal chronic unpredictable stress in mice with or without maternal oral administration of CIT from embryonic day (E)8 to E17. We assessed fetal brain development using magnetic resonance imaging and quantified changes in seroton

SUBMITTER: Velasquez JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6733519 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature