Implementation of Advanced Methods for Reproductive Pharmacovigilance in Autism: A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Prenatal Antidepressant Exposure.

Objective: Observational studies of prenatal antidepressant safety are hindered by methodological concerns, including susceptibility to surveillance bias. Some studies address potential bias by using alternative strategies to operationalize study comparison groups. In a meta-analysis of the association between prenatal antidepressant exposure and autism risk, the authors examined the utility of comparison group operationalization in reducing surveillance bias.

MicroPET/CT assessment of FDG uptake in brain after long-term methylphenidate treatment in nonhuman primates.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychostimulant commonly used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Since the long-term effects of this drug on the central nervous system (CNS) are not well understood, we conducted microPET/CT scans on young adult male rhesus monkeys (n=4/group) to gather information on brain metabolism using the uptake of [(18)F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-2-d-glucose (FDG) as a marker. Approximately two-year old, male rhesus monkeys were treated orally with MPH twice per day, five days per week (M-F) over a 6-year period.

In Vivo Monitoring of Sevoflurane-induced Adverse Effects in Neonatal Nonhuman Primates Using Small-animal Positron Emission Tomography.

Background: Animals exposed to sevoflurane during development sustain neuronal cell death in their developing brains. In vivo micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography imaging has been utilized as a minimally invasive method to detect anesthetic-induced neuronal adverse effects in animal studies.

Methods: Neonatal rhesus monkeys (postnatal day 5 or 6, 3 to 6 per group) were exposed for 8 h to 2.

Positron Emission Tomography with [(18)F]FLT Revealed Sevoflurane-Induced Inhibition of Neural Progenitor Cell Expansion in vivo.

Neural progenitor cell expansion is critical for normal brain development and an appropriate response to injury. During the brain growth spurt, exposures to general anesthetics, which either block the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor or enhance the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type A can disturb neuronal transduction. This effect can be detrimental to brain development.