Antidepressant Study In Mothers May Show Autism Link In Offspring
Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - 08:10
in Psychology & Sociology
Rats exposed to the antidepressant citalopram, a serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), just before and after birth showed substantial brain abnormalities and behaviors, according to a new study. The long-distance connections between the two hemispheres of the brain showed stunted growth and degeneration and the animals also became excessively fearful when faced with new situations and failed to play normally with peers – behaviors reminiscent of novelty avoidance and social impairments seen in autism. The abnormalities were more pronounced in male than female rats, just as autism affects 3-4 times more boys than girls. read more