Rat pups given fluvoxamine (an antidepressant) in the first two weeks of life showed delayed body growth, heightened anxiety, and impaired learning ability persisting into adolescence. When Semax was administered in the two weeks immediately following fluvoxamine treatment, it largely reversed these developmental effects. The study suggests Semax can correct early-life disruptions to brain development caused by antidepressant exposure during sensitive developmental windows.
Volodina, M A; Merchieva, S A; Sebentsova, E A; Glazova, N Iu; Manchenko, D M; Andreeva, L A; Levickaia, N G; Kamenskiĭ, A A; Miasoedov, N F