Investigating how environmental chemicals affect mood and cognition in postmenopausal women.
Official title: Understanding the Relationship Between Environmental Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals, Neuropsychiatric Outcomes, and Related Biological Processes in Depression
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-10913574 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in the environment might affect mood and thinking skills in postmenopausal women, especially those who have experienced depression, to better understand how these chemicals could impact mental health as we age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $246,770 |
| NIH project number | 5K23ES034472-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10913574 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are postmenopausal women, particularly those with a history of major depression or those experiencing neuropsychiatric symptoms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not postmenopausal or do not have a history of mood disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on mood and cognitive function, particularly in postmenopausal women. It aims to understand the relationship between EDC exposure and neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as depression and cognitive decline. The study will evaluate both women with a history of major depression and healthy controls, assessing various biological markers that may mediate these effects. By examining these associations, the research seeks to shed light on how ongoing exposure to EDCs may influence mental health outcomes in later life.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of depression and cognitive dysfunction in postmenopausal women.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence linking EDCs to neuropsychiatric outcomes, this specific focus on postmenopausal women is relatively novel and underexplored.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harder, Jessica Ann — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Harder, Jessica Ann
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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.