Allopregnanolone and mood in perimenopause: how it may help women through hormonal transitions
Official title: Using allopregnanolone to probe behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms that underlie depression in women across perimenopausal stage
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11498850 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether the natural hormone allopregnanolone can improve mood and brain biology for women going through perimenopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2022 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $900,486 |
| NIH project number | 7R01MH128617-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11498850 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women in the perimenopausal period who experience depressive symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Women without perimenopausal mood symptoms or those who cannot participate in a placebo-controlled trial may not experience direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will explore how allopregnanolone, given in a controlled setting, affects mood and brain processes in women experiencing perimenopausal depression. It uses a placebo-controlled design to understand the mechanisms behind any antidepressant effects and to identify brain and inflammatory changes that accompany the mood improvements. The research combines behavioral assessments with measurements of neurobiological signals to map how ALLO might influence perception, sleep, and inflammation during this hormonal transition. If successful, it could point to targeted therapies for PeriDep that align with a woman's reproductive timeline.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to improved treatments for perimenopausal depression tailored to hormonal changes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work with brexanolone shows antidepressant effects in postpartum depression, supporting exploration in perimenopause as a related hormonal condition.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joffe, Hadine — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Joffe, Hadine
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.