A review article by a University of Nebraska Medical Center/Child Health Research Institute research team underscores how altering fundamental brain development processes can harm the developing fetus. The publication suggests that curtailing the use of certain medications could reduce the risk of neurodevelopmental pathology in the developing fetal brain. The medications studied include some statins, antidepressants, anxiety medications and cardiovascular drugs.
Cholesterol biosynthesis is essential for proper brain development. When it is disrupted, the article states, children may be born with or develop complex neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, fetal fentanyl syndrome and Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.
The Journal of Clinical Investigation article contextualizes previous publications by members of the same team and their national and international collaborators, including more than 125 other well-respected, peer-reviewed publications.
Prescription use rose sharply
UNMC and CHRI's Karoly Mirnics, MD, Ph.D., corresponding author of the article and dean and director of the Munroe-Meyer Institute, said the impact of interfering with the prenatal sterol biosynthesis pathway using sterol biosynthesis-inhibiting medications (SBIMs) is well documented.
