Investigating dopamine system changes during perimenopause and their link to psychosis.
Official title: Aberrant dopamine system function in a rodent model of perimenopause: relevance to psychosis
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-10936510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how changes in a brain chemical called dopamine during perimenopause might raise the chances of developing mental health issues, and it's using a rodent model to understand how certain brain areas affect this process, with the hope of finding new treatments to help women during this time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Hlth Science Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Antonio, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $317,184 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076030-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10936510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women experiencing perimenopause who may be at risk for developing psychotic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing perimenopausal symptoms or those with psychotic disorders unrelated to hormonal changes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores how changes in the dopamine system during perimenopause may increase the risk of developing psychotic disorders. Using a rodent model, the study will examine the role of the ventral hippocampus in regulating dopamine neurons and how this regulation affects behaviors associated with psychosis. The researchers will employ advanced techniques such as in vivo electrophysiology and chemogenetics to gain insights into these mechanisms. The ultimate goal is to identify potential therapeutic interventions that could help restore normal dopamine function and alleviate psychotic symptoms in women experiencing perimenopause.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that effectively manage psychotic symptoms in perimenopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach in this research is novel, there have been previous studies indicating that understanding dopamine system changes can lead to better treatment strategies for psychosis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Hlth Science Center
San Antonio, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Perez, Stephanie Marie — University of Texas Hlth Science Center
- Study coordinator: Perez, Stephanie Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how menopause may affect brain signals linked to psychosis in a rodent model
A study in a rodent model of perimenopause looks at how brain circuits linked to psychosis might change and how to possibly prevent those changes.
-
Understanding Brain Changes in Perimenopause and Psychosis
This project explores how brain changes during perimenopause might lead to psychosis and seeks new ways to help women experiencing these symptoms.
-
Psychosis in diverse settings across the world
This project studies how psychotic disorders show up and respond to treatment in adults with diverse backgrounds, including populations in Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings.
-
Psychosis in Diverse Settings: Understanding Symptoms and Treatment Across Global South
A human-facing study will look at how psychotic disorders present and respond to treatment in adults from Africa, the Caribbean, and other Global South settings, using genetic and clinical data.
-
A new online brain-scan-style tool to spot early psychosis risk
A new online-based set of tasks and a computer model aims to identify people at high risk for developing psychosis earlier and more accurately.
-
Genetic clues for early-onset psychosis in Latino youth
This project looks at the genes of young people with early-onset psychosis and compares them with similar youths without psychosis to find genetic factors that contribute to the illness.
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.