S-ketamine Administration in Pregnant Mice Induces ADHD- and Depression-like behaviors in Offspring Mice.
Behavioural Brain Research July 1, 2022 Li-Min Zhang, Na Liu, Lucy Cao et al.
Pregnant mice given high-dose S-ketamine (60 mg/kg) all miscarried after the first injection. Low- and medium-dose S-ketamine (15 and 30 mg/kg) administered from gestational day 14 to 18 led to ADHD-like behaviors (increased open-arm time, reduced freezing in fear conditioning) and, at the medium dose, depression-like behaviors (reduced locomotion, increased immobility) in offspring. Changes in astrocytic activation, synaptic dysfunction, and decreased inhibitory presynaptic proteins were observed in the hippocampus, amygdala, and habenula nucleus. The authors conclude that S-ketamine may cause detrimental effects on developing brains and call for further study.