How stress during adolescence affects mood and thinking after childbirth
Official title: Role of adolescent stress in postpartum mood and cognition
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10551289 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how stress during teenage years affects the feelings and thinking abilities of new moms, helping us understand why some first-time mothers might struggle with their mood after having a baby.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2019 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $375,995 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH116869-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10551289 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are first-time mothers who experienced significant stress during their adolescent years.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who did not experience adolescent stress or who are not first-time mothers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of stress experienced during adolescence on mood and cognitive function in new mothers. It aims to understand the biological mechanisms that link early life stress to postpartum emotional and cognitive challenges. By utilizing human imaging and examining hormonal systems and neural functions, the study seeks to uncover how these factors contribute to mood disorders in first-time mothers. The research employs a novel platform based on previous findings to explore these connections in depth.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for postpartum mood disorders in new mothers.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of early life stress on mental health, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Niwa, Minae — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Niwa, Minae
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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.