Perinatal SSRIs, maternal stress, and their effects on social behaviors in male and female offspring

International audienceIt has been well documented that early life stress can have long term effects, often altering the course of development for subsequent generations, on a variety of domains. However, very little research has investigated how early life experiences alter the serotonergic system or how such changes to the serotonergic system can alter social and emotional health of offspring. With the key role that serotonin plays in neurodevelopment, social behaviors and mental health, and the growing use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications (SSRIs) to treat maternal affective disorders during the perinatal period, more research is needed to understand how perinatal SSRI exposure alters offspring outcomes in both males and females. Work from laboratory rodent models will be presented which shows an often long-term, sexually differentiated, effect of perinatal SSRIs on social behaviors and related neurobiology. Understanding the benefits and risks of perinatal exposure to SSRIs medications will aid in improving the health and well-being of mother and child