Understanding brain changes during menopause and their impact on mental health
Official title: Molecular and cellular characterization of the human brain across menopausal transition
Funded at Fordham University · NIH-11029417 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how hormonal changes during menopause might affect the brain and mood, especially in relation to conditions like depression and psychosis, by examining brain samples to understand what happens in a key area that helps manage emotions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fordham University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | December 18, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $576,926 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH138370-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11029417 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women and individuals with ovaries who are experiencing or have experienced menopause.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are pre-menopausal or do not have ovaries may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how hormonal changes during the menopausal transition affect the brain's structure and function, particularly in relation to mood disorders like depression and psychosis. By analyzing postmortem human brain samples, the study aims to uncover the cellular and molecular changes that occur in the anterior hippocampus, a region important for emotion regulation. The researchers will explore how these changes may increase the risk of psychiatric conditions in women during menopause, providing insights into the biological mechanisms at play.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment options for women experiencing mental health issues during menopause.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been studies on hormonal impacts on the brain in animal models, this research is novel in its focus on human brain samples during menopause.
Where this research is happening
-
Fordham University
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kundakovic, Marija — Fordham University
- Study coordinator: Kundakovic, Marija
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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.