Learning Deficits of Offspring after Administration of Tranquillizing Drugs to the Mothers

Abstract

IN previous reports^1–4 from this laboratory, various psychotropic drugs administered to gravid rats resulted in increased neonatal mortality and altered the development and behaviour of the surviving offspring. On the basis of observations¹ that learning ability was not altered in offspring after prenatal administration of drugs that affected diencephalic centres, it was suggested that particular drugs may have a specificity of action on developing fœtal brain centres and would alter behavioural processes controlled by these centres. This communication compares three commonly used tranquillizing drugs (reserpine, chlorpromazine and meprobamate) with different pharmacological properties and sites of action, administered to gravid rats for their effect on maze learning ability of the offspring.