Maternal SSRI Use During Pregnancy: Links Between Gut Microbiome, Offspring Behaviour, and Brain Transcriptomics

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently used for maternal depression during pregnancy.
• Concerns exist regarding the independent effects of perinatal SSRI exposure on fetal neurodevelopment, beyond maternal illness.
• Preclinical and clinical evidence suggests potential independent influences on neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review rodent studies examining the effects of developmental SSRI exposure on offspring.
• To investigate impacts on the gut microbiome, maternal behavior, myelination, and social behavior.
• To explore potential mechanisms, including gut-brain axis and myelination alterations.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing rodent studies on developmental SSRI exposure.
• Analysis of reported effects on offspring gut microbiota, maternal behavior, brain myelination, and social interactions.
• Examination of sex-specific behavioral outcomes.

Main Results:

• Developmental SSRI exposure can alter brain development and the maternal gut microbiota.
• Offspring exhibit reduced social play and altered social interactions, with males being more sensitive.
• Maternal care is only modestly affected, while myelination and gut-brain axis mechanisms are implicated.

Conclusions:

• Developmental SSRI exposure, independent of maternal illness, can disrupt offspring brain development and social behavior.
• Potential mechanisms involve alterations in the gut-brain axis and changes in myelination.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate the long-term consequences and underlying pathways.