Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
08:49
Rapid In Situ Hybridization using Oligonucleotide Probes on Paraformaldehyde-prefixed Brain of Rats with Serotonin Syndrome
Published on: September 23, 2015
9.3K
New Insights into How Serotonin Selective Reuptake Inhibitors Shape the Developing Brain
Jay A Gingrich1, Heli Malm1, Mark S Ansorge1
1Columbia University Medical Center, Psychiatry, New York, New York.
Birth Defects Research
|July 18, 2017
Summary
Sensitive developmental periods in the brain are crucial for neurodevelopment. Serotonin (5-HT) signaling during these times impacts behavior, with potential risks from prenatal antidepressant exposure.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Development involves sensitive periods where genetics and environment shape brain maturation.
- These periods are critical for forming neuro-circuits but also represent vulnerabilities to brain disorders.
- Serotonin (5-HT) signaling plays a key role during specific sensitive periods impacting behavior and cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of a serotonin (5-HT)-sensitive developmental period on fronto-limbic system maturation.
- To explore the link between this sensitive period and cognitive, anxiety, and depression-related behaviors.
- To discuss the implications of prenatal exposure to 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical data to establish biological plausibility and mechanistic insights.
- Summary of epidemiological findings on the public health implications of prenatal SSRI use.
- Analysis of how 5-HT signaling affects fronto-limbic circuit development.
Main Results:
- A specific 5-HT-sensitive period influences fronto-limbic development, affecting behaviors relevant to psychiatry.
- Preclinical data support biological plausibility for 5-HT's role in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
- Epidemiological data suggest potential public health concerns regarding prenatal SSRI exposure.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal exposure to 5-HT reuptake inhibitors may affect fetal brain circuit maturation.
- Further research is needed to distinguish the effects of maternal symptoms from SSRI effects on offspring outcomes.
- Understanding these sensitive periods is crucial for addressing neurodevelopmental risks.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
1.0K
Atypical antidepressants, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), mirtazapine (Remeron), nefazodone (Serzone), trazodone (Desyrel), and vilazodone (Viibryd), offer unique mechanisms of action. Bupropion weakly inhibits dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake, aiding depression treatment and smoking cessation, with a low risk of sexual dysfunction. Mirtazapine enhances serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmission, leading to sedation, increased appetite, and weight gain. As a result, it helps treat...
1.0K
01:28Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
1.9K
Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
1.9K
01:21Drugs Affecting Neurotransmitter Release or Uptake
1.7K
Certain drugs can affect how neurotransmitters called catecholamines, are released or taken back up in the adrenergic neuron. They can have different effects on the body's sympathetic transmission. Reserpine, a natural compound found in the Rauwolfia shrub, blocks a transporter called vesicular monoamine transporter (VMAT), which leads to a buildup of catecholamines in the cell and reduces sympathetic transmission. Another drug called guanethidine works in multiple ways, including blocking...
1.7K
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
1.1K
Serotonin, a crucial neurotransmitter synthesized by enterochromaffin cells, plays a cardinal role in regulating gastrointestinal (GI) motility. With over 90% of the body's total serotonin in the GI tract, its influence on digestive processes is profound. Serotonin is swiftly released upon various stimuli, such as food boluses or certain drugs, triggering intrinsic sensory neurons in the myenteric plexus and extrinsic vagal and spinal sensory neurons. This leads to the activation of the...
1.1K
01:25Antidepressant Drugs: Overview
1.7K
Antidepressant drugs are a class of medications primarily used for treating various mood disorders, including major depression, anxiety disorders, and other related conditions. These medicines work by modulating the neurotransmitter balance within the brain, alleviating depressive symptoms. Antidepressants can be broadly categorized into several groups according to their mechanism of action and chemical structure: Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin-Norepinephrine...
1.7K
01:27Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
2.2K
Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
2.2K