Translational Investigation of Gestational Environment on Neurobehavioral Function in Children

Although the last decade has brought major advances with respect to our knowledge of certain risks associated with fetal exposure to psychiatric medications, critical information regarding the long-term neurobehavioral impact of fetal exposure is lacking. With a prevalence rate of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) use across pregnancy in Western countries noted to be as high as 5-8%, this study aims to close the gap in knowledge regarding long-term neurobehavioral sequelae of in utero exposure to this class of antidepressants. Importantly, the assessment of the impact of antenatal psychotropic medication use must be conducted with an appreciation of the potential direct and indirect effects of maternal psychiatric illness during pregnancy and throughout childhood. The outcomes of this study will help to inform the care of reproductive age women treated with psychiatric medications as they, along with the clinicians prescribing for them, weigh the relative risks of using these agents during pregnancy.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder Depressive Disorder, Major Mental Disorders Mood Disorders

Age range

6 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

About this study

Neuropsychological evaluation of older children than previously studied with histories of fetal exposure to antidepressants and maternal depression during pregnancy is needed and may inform whether a signal for neural disruption exists following fetal selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure. Identification of genetic factors which may afford resilience or particular vulnerability to fetal exposure to antidepressants is a logical component of this translational initiative designed to answer the proposed research question.

Because of the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-based drugs has the influence excitatory/inhibitory balance and to shift critical periods, there is reason to believe that some aspects of brain development may also be altered. To this end, this project aims to "scan" a variety of brain functions that include memory, attention, and executive functions; in addition, it will also examine the extent to which face and speech processing are altered in the target sample.

This study will assess older children ages 6-17 with histories of fetal exposure to antidepressants and/or maternal depression during pregnancy. It will evaluate child behavior based on maternal report and utilize neuropsychological evaluation to inform whether a signal for neural disruption exists following fetal SSRI or depression exposure. The neuropsychological assessments will be paired with an analysis of genetic factors which may afford resilience or particular vulnerability to fetal exposure to antidepressants.

This study leverages unique patient resources with respect to children of mothers with well documented histories of SSRI exposure who have been prospectively followed across pregnancy. The multidisciplinary collaboration between the lead investigator, Dr. Lee S. Cohen of the Center for Women's Mental Health (CWMH), and the Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience, Boston Children's Hospital (Dr. Charles Nelson), the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, and the Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (Dr. Jordan Smoller) is a remarkable opportunity to better understand the effects of maternal antidepressant exposure during pregnancy on neuropsychological development of children.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Maternal subjects:

have a child between 6-17 years of age
had a history of major depressive disorder (MDD) at the time of their pregnancy of the above child
are at least 18 years of age
Child subjects:

are between 6-17 years of age
are the children of women who fit the eligibility criteria described above and have consented to participate in the study
are able to provide informed assent and a parent or guardian is able and willing to provide informed consent

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

neuropsychological functioning as assessed by CANTAB research battery

Time frame: cross-sectional assessment at baseline (at 6-17 years of age, depending on subject's age at time of visit)

Further information on CANTAB available at: http://www.cambridgecognition.com/academic/crs

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Massachusetts General Hospital

Other

Collaborators

Boston Children's Hospital

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2016
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2019
First posted: Mar 22, 2016
Registry last updated: Mar 16, 2020

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed