Understanding how different sexes process light and seasonal changes
Official title: Sexual dimorphic circuits in photoperiodic encoding and photic processing
Funded at Marquette University · NIH-11061394 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how men and women’s brains respond to changes in day length and seasons, hoping to find out how these differences might help us understand and improve treatments for conditions that affect women more often.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Marquette University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Milwaukee, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $405,972 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM143545-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061394 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit are individuals who experience conditions influenced by seasonal changes and light exposure, particularly women.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience any seasonal affective disorders or related conditions may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how male and female brains process information related to day length and seasonal changes. By examining the neural circuits involved, the study aims to uncover differences in how these circuits function between sexes. The approach includes both experimental and observational methods to analyze the impact of photoperiodic cues on behavior and physiology. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to better understanding and treatment of conditions that disproportionately affect women.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for disorders that disproportionately affect women, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding sex differences in neural processing, indicating potential for significant advancements in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Marquette University
Milwaukee, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evans, Jennifer Anne — Marquette University
- Study coordinator: Evans, Jennifer Anne
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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.