Investigating how pregnancy hormones affect brain function and behavior.
Official title: The path to the parous brain: allopregnanolone-mediated mechanisms at GABAA receptors.
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11037405 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how a hormone called allopregnanolone affects brain activity and behavior during and after pregnancy, helping us understand how these changes might influence how new moms think and feel.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $237,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH138857-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11037405 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women who are in their third trimester of pregnancy or have recently given birth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or have not given birth may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the effects of the hormone allopregnanolone on brain activity and behavior during and after pregnancy. It focuses on the medial prefrontal cortex, a brain region important for decision-making and emotional regulation, to understand how hormonal changes during pregnancy lead to lasting alterations in neural function. By studying animal models, the research aims to uncover the mechanisms behind these changes and how they might influence maternal behavior and cognitive processes. The findings could provide insights into the neurological impacts of pregnancy on women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of cognitive and emotional challenges faced by women during and after pregnancy.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding hormonal influences on brain function, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shansky, Rebecca M — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Shansky, Rebecca M
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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.