Understanding Brain Changes in Perimenopause and 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-11106007 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how brain changes during perimenopause might lead to psychosis and seeks new ways to help women experiencing these symptoms.
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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $310,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076030-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11106007 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for women experiencing or at risk of psychosis during the perimenopausal transition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose psychosis is unrelated to perimenopause or hormonal changes may not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
What this research studies
Many women experience an increased risk of psychosis or worsening existing conditions like bipolar disorder during perimenopause. Current medications for psychosis are not always effective and can have difficult side effects, especially for women in this life stage. This research aims to understand how specific brain systems, particularly dopamine, are affected during perimenopause and contribute to psychosis symptoms. By studying these brain changes, we hope to find better ways to restore normal brain function and develop more effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new and more effective treatments for psychosis symptoms experienced by women during perimenopause, with fewer side effects.
How similar studies have gone: This research builds upon existing knowledge of dopamine system dysfunction in psychosis and aims to identify novel therapeutic targets specific to perimenopausal women.
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.
-
Investigating dopamine system changes during perimenopause and their link to psychosis.
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.
-
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.