Investigating how exposure to certain chemicals during puberty affects depression in female rats.
Official title: The orexin system as a novel mediator of depression-like outcomes in female rats exposed to an endocrine disrupting compound during the peripubertal period
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11032009 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how exposure to a chemical called BPA during a young female rat's development can affect their mental health later in life, especially in terms of feeling down or depressed, and it aims to help us understand how these early experiences might influence mental health in young people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 9, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $196,250 |
| NIH project number | 5R21ES035848-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11032009 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are young females aged 12-20 who may have been exposed to endocrine disrupting compounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not female or who are outside the age range of 12-20 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of endocrine disrupting compounds, specifically bisphenol-A (BPA), on the mental health of female rats during their peripubertal period. The study aims to understand how early exposure to these chemicals can lead to depression-like behaviors in adulthood, particularly focusing on the orexin neuropeptide system, which plays a crucial role in motivation and reward. By examining the neurobiological changes associated with BPA exposure, the researchers hope to uncover the mechanisms that link early puberty onset with increased depression risk. The findings could provide insights into how environmental factors influence mental health outcomes in adolescents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for depression in young females exposed to harmful environmental chemicals.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown that environmental factors can significantly impact mental health, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roepke, Troy Adam — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Roepke, Troy Adam
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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.