Long-Term Outcomes of Developmental Exposure to Fluoxetine: A Review of the Animal Literature

order to fill this gap, we have summarized the findings of those studies describing the long-term behavioural and neurophysiological effects of FLX exposure in non-human animals in early development. We also discuss methodolog-ical considerations and common shortcomings of research in this area. The precise nature of the long-term effects of developmental FLX exposure remains difficult to specify, as these effects appear to be highly variable and dependent on numerous factors. Overall, however, it is clear that early FLX exposure in non-human animals can alter the development of the brain in ways that are relevant to behaviour in adult-hood, decreasing exploration and social interaction, and in some cases altering anxiety- and depression-like behaviours. © 2013 S. Karger AG, Base