This is how antidepressants harm the development of the fetus’s brain during pregnancy.

Using antidepressants during pregnancy can affect a child’s brain development and contribute to the risk of mental health disorders later in life. This is confirmed by research published in ‘Nature Communications’ that shows for the first time the impact of antidepressants on fetal brain development during pregnancy. Led by researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (USA), the research has focused specifically on the effect of fluoxetine, combined used in medications such as Prozac and Sarafem to treat depression and perinatal depression, in the developing prefrontal cortex. Since fluoxetine works by increasing serotonin levels in the brain, researchers looked at the impact serotonin has on the development of the fetus’s prefrontal cortex. Related News standard No Celso Arango: “One in 5 adolescents will meet the requirements to have a mental disorder” ABC Arango is head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service at the Gregorio Marañón General University Hospital in Madrid Although it is known that Serotonin plays a role in brain development, says lead author Won Chan, “the mechanisms responsible for this influence, specifically in the prefrontal cortex, are not fully understood.” The prefrontal cortex, the most evolved brain region, he adds, “plays a central role in higher-order cognition, so we focused our study on finding the answer in this area of ​​the brain.” Chan’s team discovered that serotonin influences directly into nascent and immature excitatory synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex, which if disrupted or dysregulated during early development can contribute to various mental health disorders. Serotonin directly influences nascent and immature excitatory synaptic connections in the prefrontal cortex “Our research uncovers specific processes at the synaptic level that explain how serotonin contributes to the development of this important brain region during early exposure to fluoxetine.” of life – explains Chan -. “We are the first to provide experimental evidence of the direct impact of serotonin on the developing prefrontal cortex when fluoxetine is taken during pregnancy, because fluoxetine not only crosses the placenta, but also passes into breast milk.” To study the effect, researchers looked at the impact of serotonin deficiency and excess on brain development in mice. They found that serotonin is not only involved in overall brain function, but also has a specific role in influencing how individual connections between neurons change and adapt, contributing to the brain’s ability to learn and adapt. Future therapies “Understanding this assessment has the potential to help with early intervention and the development of new therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders involving serotonin dysregulation.” Researchers say doctors should be involved in making decisions about individualized care for pregnant women, including discussing the benefits and side effects of antidepressants and possible non-pharmacological interventions for postpartum depression.