Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors affect craniofacial structures in a mouse model

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 19; no. 7; p. e0307134
• Main Authors: Saluan, Quinn N, Bauer, George R, Vyas, Heema, Mohi, Amr, Durham, Emily L, Cray, Jr, James J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 18.07.2024; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Analysis; Animal models; Animals; Antidepressants; Biology and Life Sciences; Birth defects; Cartilage; Citalopram; Citalopram - pharmacology; Congenital defects; Craniofacial Abnormalities - chemically induced; Craniofacial growth; Disease Models, Animal; Drinking water; Drug addiction; Drug therapy; Drugs; Exposure; Female; Fibromyalgia; Headache; Homeostasis; Inhibitors; Intrauterine exposure; Investigations; Juveniles; Laboratory animals; Male; Medical research; Medicine and Health Sciences; Medicine, Experimental; Mental depression; Mice; Migraine; Molars; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Palate; Phenols; Pregnancy; Pregnant women; Prenatal experience; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects - chemically induced; Prescribing; Research and Analysis Methods; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Serotonin; Serotonin uptake inhibitors; Skull; Skull - drug effects; Software; United States > US
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307134

Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI) widely used in the treatment of depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, fibromyalgia, and migraine are among the most heavily prescribed drug class in the United States (US). Along with an overall rise in SSRI use, these medications are increasingly used by pregnant individuals and recent preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that SSRIs may increase the prevalence of congenital abnormalities and birth defects of the craniofacial region. Our group has developed pre-clinical models of study, including those that mimic the clinical use of SSRI in mice. Here we designed a study to interrogate a commonly prescribed SSRI drug, Citalopram, for its effects on craniofacial and dental development when introduced in utero. Pre-natal exposure to a clinically relevant dose of citalopram resulted in changes in craniofacial form identified by an increase in endocast volume in SSRI exposed postnatal day 15 mouse pups. More specifically, cranial length and synchondrosis length increased in SSRI exposed pups as compared to control pups of the same age. Additionally, growth center (synchondrosis) height and width and palate length and width decreased in SSRI exposed pups as compared to control un-exposed pups. Effects of SSRI on the molars was minimal. Craniofacial growth and development continue to be an area of interest in the investigation of in utero pharmaceutical drug exposure. Altogether these data indicate that prenatal SSRI exposure affects craniofacial form in multiple tissues and specifically at growth sites and centers of the skull.