Prenatal Antidepressants and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
According to the CDC Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence has risen to 1/66, but its causes remains unclear. Croen et al. (2011) reported an increase in ASD in children whose mother s took SSRI antidepressants (ADs) during pregnancy. We are testing this hypothesis in rodents. The study is a 2-year long experiment to be decoded and analyzed in YR02. Groups treated during gestation and lactation are: saline (SAL), citalopram (CIT), fluoxetine (FLX), bupropion (DUP), and a newly added positive control group given valproic acid (VPA) on E12 only. There will be 20 litters/group (except CIT10 with 10) for a total of 110 litters (x8 offspring/litter=880 progeny). All ADs caused unexpected skin irritation which is being successfully treated with a 1.5% topical lidocaine spray. Current number of sperm-positive females enrolled: SAL=12, CIT10=10, CIT5=11, FLX5=11, BUP15=12, and VPA500=10; total=66 litters (~528 offspring), leaving 44 more litters yet to be enrolled. Litters completed: SAL=6, CIT10=5, CIT5=4, FLX=6, BUP=6, and VPA500=3; total=30, leaving 80 litters still in testing or yet to be enrolled (totally 640 progeny). Given the current rate of enrollment, the last litter is to be enrolled in February 2015 and the last litter to finish testing by the end of March 2015.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA611001
Entities
People
- Charles Vorhees