Title:Neurochemical Changes in Brain After Fetal Exposure to Fluoxetine, a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI) in Rodents
VOLUME: 17
Author(s):Mona Awad Alonazi, Amina El Gezeery, Afaf el-Ansary and Ramesa Shafi Bhat*
Affiliation:Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Central Laboratory, Female Centre for Scientific and Medical Studies, King Saud University, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University
Keywords:Depression, neurotransmitters, pro-inflammatory cytokines, caspases, brain
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.
