A team of medical researchers led by F. Rodriguez-Porcel (2011), from the Department of Psychiatry & Human Behavior at The University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, conducted a study titled “Neonatal Exposure of Rats to Antidepressants Affects Behavioral Reactions to Novelty and Social Interactions in a Manner Analogous to Autistic Spectrum Disroders”, where it is demonstrated that neonatal exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may have continuous effects on Long Evans rats. Rodriguez-Porcel F states “Hyperserotoninemia and altered sensory processing are reported in autistic spectrum disorders (ASD). We hypothesized that early life exposure to SSRIs alters sensory processing, disrupts responses to novelty, and impairs social interactions in a manner similar to that observed in ASD.” (emphasis added)
Hyperserotoninemia is a very dangerous and life threatening reaction to a drug due to an overdose of a particular drug, or the recreational use of some drugs. Hyperserotoninemia can be predicted due to excess serotonergic activity of the central nervous system. Female and male Long Evans rats were given citalopram, buproprion, or fluoxetine from postnatal day. These rats were tested for a novel tone before weaning, then they were tested for a response to a novel object and to a novel conspecific.
Rodriguez-Porcel F. goes on to state “In addition, rats were assessed for juvenile play behaviors (P32-P34) and later, we assessed sexual response to an estrus female in male rats (P153-184). Antidepressant exposure increased freezing after tone, diminished novel object exploration, and reduced conspecific interaction up to 3× compared to saline exposed rats.” It was found that juvenile play greater reduced in antidepressant exposed males, and that exposure to the SSRIs disrupted male sexual behaviors and specific male responses to female proceptive behaviors were diminished. The study concluded that neonatal exposure to antidepressants in rats lead to sensory and social abnormalities.
This study may be used as evidence in a Celexa birth defects lawsuit, a Wellbutrin birth defects lawsuit, or a Prozac lawsuit to help demonstrate to a court that the manufacturers of these drugs knew, or should have know, the risks associated with their products. Due to the fact that many women have used SSRIs during pregnancy, uninformed about the risk for birth defects associated with these drugs, SSRI birth defects lawsuits are currently being filed all over the world.
If you or a loved one used SSRIs during pregnancy and your child was born with autism, contact our team of Celexa® lawyers, Prozac® lawyers, Wellbutrin® lawyers, and SSRI autism lawyers at the information provided below. We have the resources, skills, and experience required to win the justice you deserve, even from the largest of pharmaceutical manufacturers.
(855) 452 – 5529
Call today and see how we can help! Our SSRI Birth Defects Lawsuit Information page is a great place to start if you have any questions about SSRIs and Birth Defects.