Immune changes linked to depression during perimenopause
Official title: The immunobiological mechanisms of depression in perimenopause
Funded at Van Andel Research Institute · NIH-11250128 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how hormone-related immune changes may cause depression in women going through perimenopause.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Van Andel Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Grand Rapids, United States) |
| Project start | December 20, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $765,613 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH139201-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11250128 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women who are in the perimenopausal transition, especially those with current depressive symptoms or a history of depression, are the most likely candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not in perimenopause (men, younger premenopausal women, or those long past menopause) are unlikely to benefit directly from this specific work.
What this research studies
If you join, researchers will collect blood and clinical information from women in perimenopause, including those with and without depressive symptoms. They will examine immune cells (especially T cells), measure cytokines and tryptophan-related metabolites, and analyze DNA methylation and chromatin accessibility using methods such as ATAC-seq. By comparing these molecular patterns to symptoms and hormone changes, the team hopes to identify immune pathways that shift during the menopause transition. Results could point to blood markers or immune-targeted approaches to reduce depression risk in this time of life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could help identify biomarkers or immune targets that lead to new ways to prevent or treat depression during perimenopause.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has linked immune and tryptophan-metabolite changes to depression in pregnancy and postpartum, but applying this immune- and chromatin-focused approach to perimenopause is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Brundin, Lena Cecilia — Van Andel Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Brundin, Lena Cecilia
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how hormonal changes during perimenopause affect depression.
This study is looking at how hormonal changes during perimenopause might affect the immune system and contribute to depression in women, with the goal of finding new ways to help those who are feeling down during this time.
-
Biotype-based Personalization of Antidepressant Augmentation in Late-Life Depression
A multi-site study will test a computer-guided approach to choosing the best augmentation option for older adults with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Suubi-Mhealth: a mobile app to help Ugandan youth with HIV manage depression and ART adherence
A mobile app designed for 14–17 year olds in Uganda aims to support mental health and keep HIV treatment on track.
-
Group-based postpartum depression prevention: in-person vs. virtual delivery
A large study is testing whether the ROSE group program delivered virtually to pregnant people is just as helpful as the in-person version in preventing postpartum depression.
-
DESCANSO: A friendly CBT plan to ease depression, sleep problems, and fatigue in Latino cancer patients
A Spanish-speaking CBT program called DESCANSO is being tested to help Latino cancer patients feel less tired, sleep better, and happier.
-
Personalized iTBS for Depression: Faster, Targeted Brain Stimulation
A personalized, time-efficient brain stimulation approach may help people with treatment-resistant depression achieve better relief using tailored iTBS settings.
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.