What are the risks of children whose mothers have been treated with Prozac for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or bulimia during pregnancy? Researchers at the University of Ottawa (Canada) have looked into the question.
For this, they exposed eggs and toddler zebrafish to amounts of antidepressant. “Typical of what would cross the human placenta and reach an embryo”, they write in the report of their study, published in the journal PNAS last December. It turned out that theexposure to fluoxetine – the main molecule of the drug – has traditionally induced a cortisol deficiency– the stress hormone. But this… over three generations.
Altered reactions to stress
After six days of exposure to the antidepressant in embryonic fish, scientists first noticed a gradual drop in cortisol levels into adulthood. And this even though the aquatic animals were no longer receiving fluoxetine. More so, they discovered that the stress hormone reduction continued to manifest in the offspring of these fish for three generations.
The researchers conclude that, even if the study is based on a common animal model, one might assume that a brief ancestral exposure to an antidepressant would be sufficient to “Alter the stress response and essential adaptive behaviors over several generations” in humans as well.
Cortisol, an essential hormone
Because while too much cortisol can cause health problems, too little can. The hormone is needed to face the short term stress. It converts fat into sugar to support the action of adrenaline. A deficiency can thus be the source of “Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), [de] chronic fatigue, [d’] burnout and [de] disruptive behaviors in children ”, remind scientists.
These results, they continue, therefore encourage prescribing antidepressants with the most great precaution during pregnancy. They nevertheless qualify: “In some cases, they help save lives. However, it is essential to follow the doctor’s recommendations and stick to the prescribed dose “. They call to keep in mind that these drugs have longer term effects than the scientific community thought.
Source:Science and the Future
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