Brain changes during the menopausal transition
Official title: Molecular and cellular characterization of the human brain across menopausal transition
Funded at Fordham University · NIH-11249152 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how cells and gene activity in the front part of the hippocampus change during menopause in people with ovaries.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fordham University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | December 18, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $571,996 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH138370-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11249152 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be people with ovaries across pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal stages who can provide detailed health and hormonal information or agree to brain donation for research.
✕Less likely to help
People without ovaries or those whose health concerns are unrelated to menopause or mood disorders are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific research.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine 42 donated human brains whose menopausal and hormonal status has been defined using a panel of biomarkers. They will focus on the anterior hippocampus, a brain region involved in emotion, and profile cell types and epigenetic (gene-regulating) changes. The team will compare brains from pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal groups and link molecular changes to hormonal status and genetic risk for depression and psychosis. This human tissue work follows earlier mouse studies showing hormone-driven chromatin and synaptic changes and aims to translate those findings to people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal how hormonal changes during menopause raise the risk for depression and psychosis and point to new targets for prevention or treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Previous mouse studies showed hormone-driven chromatin and behavioral changes, but detailed cellular and epigenetic analysis in human brains is largely novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Fordham University
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kundakovic, Marija — Fordham University
- Study coordinator: Kundakovic, Marija
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Cholinergic interneuron D2 receptors and impulsive behavior in cocaine use
This project looks at whether D2 receptors in cholinergic neurons in the brain’s nucleus accumbens influence impulsive actions and relapse risk in cocaine users or models.
-
How college life and finances affect young adults' heart and metabolic health
This project follows college-aged young adults to track how school experiences and financial stress relate to blood pressure, weight, and overall heart and metabolic health.
-
Understanding how certain brain receptors affect impulsive behavior related to cocaine addiction
This study is looking at how certain brain receptors related to dopamine affect impulsive behavior in people who have used cocaine for a long time, with the hope of finding new ways to help them make better decisions and avoid relapse.
-
Investigating sleep differences among college students from various racial backgrounds
This study is looking at how things like social life and the environment affect how well college students, especially those from different ethnic and racial backgrounds, sleep and how long they sleep, to help understand the challenges they face and improve their health and school performance.
-
Understanding how the X-chromosome affects brain function in adult women
This study looks at how changes in female hormones affect the brain and behavior in adult females, using mice to find out if certain genes on the X-chromosome play a role in conditions like anxiety and depression, which could help us understand more about women's mental health.
-
Understanding brain changes during menopause and their impact on mental health
This study looks at how hormonal changes during menopause might affect the brain and mood, especially in relation to conditions like depression and psychosis, by examining brain samples to understand what happens in a key area that helps manage emotions.
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.