• Prenatal SSRI exposure increases activity in brain fear circuits in both mice and children, potentially raising the risk of anxiety and depression later in life.
• The study found that children exposed to maternal depression without SSRIs did not exhibit the same brain alterations, suggesting a serotonin-specific mechanism.
• Researchers urge caution in interpreting the findings, emphasizing that more research is needed before changing clinical guidelines for SSRI use during pregnancy.

A recent study by Columbia University researchers has found a potential link between prenatal SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) exposure and altered brain development in offspring. The research, conducted on both mice and human subjects, suggests that SSRI exposure in the womb can increase activity in brain circuits related to fear and anxiety, potentially leading to a higher risk of depression and anxiety later in life. The study highlights the importance of further research to fully understand the impact of SSRIs on fetal brain development and inform clinical guidelines for their use during pregnancy.

• What: The study investigated the impact of prenatal SSRI exposure on brain development and the risk of anxiety and depression in offspring, using both mouse models and human data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study.
• Who: The key individuals involved are researchers Jay Gingrich and Mark Ansorge from Columbia University. The study also involved human adolescents participating in the ABCD study, along with their mothers.
• When: The mouse study involved SSRI exposure during a period equivalent to the third trimester in humans. The human data was collected from adolescents aged 11-13 years old. The research was published in May 2025.
• Where: The research was conducted at Columbia University and involved data from the ABCD study, which includes participants from multiple sites across the United States.

The study provides compelling evidence for a potential link between prenatal SSRI exposure and altered brain development. The cross-species findings, demonstrating similar effects on fear circuit activation in both mice and humans, strengthen the plausibility of a causal relationship. However, the researchers acknowledge the challenges of disentangling the effects of SSRI exposure from the effects of maternal depression and emphasize the need for further research. The study also highlights the importance of considering the timing of SSRI exposure during brain development, as well as potential sex differences in the response to SSRIs.

By deleting the gene, we did genetically what Prozac does through pharmacology, increase serotonin signaling in the brain. But when these mice grew up, they seemed like they were on 'anti-Prozac'.

As a physician, I think it’s still premature to say that pregnant women should stop taking SSRIs. We must first have a very solid understanding of both risks and benefits before we can make clinical recommendations.

The study offers important insights into the potential long-term effects of prenatal SSRI exposure on brain development and mental health. While the findings raise concerns, experts caution against making immediate changes to clinical guidelines, emphasizing the need for further research to fully understand the risks and benefits of SSRI use during pregnancy. Ongoing studies are investigating the mechanisms underlying these effects and exploring alternative treatments for maternal depression and anxiety.