ArticlePsychopharmacology2026
Long-term neuronal and neurocognitive consequences in offspring after prenatal exposure to a novel antidepressant, vilazodone: Role of BDNF/Bax-Bcl-2/AChE mediated pathways.
Article in Psychopharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
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Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Prenatal Exposure to Anxiolytics: A Critical Review on Brain Development and Neurobehavioral Manifestations in Offspring.Neurotoxicity research · 2026Review
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Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
Abstract
rationaleAntidepressant (AD) use during pregnancy raises concerns regarding its potential impact on offspring neurodevelopment. Vilazodone (VLZ), a newer AD with a favourable therapeutic profile, remains underexplored in this context.
objectivesThis study aimed to investigate the effects of prenatal VLZ exposure on hippocampal neurochemistry and cognitive function in young adult rat offspring.
methodsPregnant Wistar rats received VLZ (1 or 2 mg/kg/day) via a cannula from gestational day 6 to 21. After delivery, offspring were reared until postnatal day (PND) 70. Postnatal body weight (PND 1-70) and behavioural performances (PND 49-70) were evaluated in six (n = 6) offspring/sex/group (one male and one female per litter) using the Morris water maze and step-down passive avoidance tests. Sex was initially included as a factor in the statistical analysis; as no significant sex differences were observed, data were pooled for molecular and histological analyses (n = 6 brains/group; 3 males and 3 females).
resultsOffspring prenatally exposed to VLZ exhibited reduced body weight, impaired spatial and avoidance learning, and altered hippocampal morphology compared to the controls. Biochemical and molecular analyses of the hippocampus revealed reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), an elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and increased acetylcholinesterase activity. These effects were significant at 2 mg/kg, with no notable changes at 1 mg/kg.
conclusionsPrenatal exposure to 2 mg/kg VLZ disrupts neurodevelopment, resulting in persistent cognitive deficits and hippocampal alterations. These findings highlight the need for caution when prescribing VLZ during pregnancy, particularly during crucial phases of fetal brain development.
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