Thermoregulatory effects of the specific uptake inhibitor citalopram in maturing mice

The effects of a single 20 mg/kg dose of citalopram (Lu 10-171) were studied in mice aged 1-10 days. Body temperature measured 2 and 24 hr after treatment was decreased in treated animals as compared with saline injected littermate controls. Two hours after treatment, temperature preference in a thermal gradient was unchanged in animals younger than 6 days; however, in animals 6 days or older, temperature preference was increased as compared with littermate controls. Twenty-four hours after treatment, temperature preference was increased in citalopram-treated animals at all ages tested. The results are discussed in relation to nervous system maturation.