Understanding how menopause may affect brain signals linked to psychosis in a rodent model
Official title: Aberrant dopamine system function in a rodent model of perimenopause: relevance to psychosis
Funded at University of Texas Hlth Science Center · NIH-11375507 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $317,184 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG076030-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11375507 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for psychosis related to perimenopause, though this study is preclinical and uses animal models.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals outside the scope of psychosis linked to perimenopause or those seeking non-psychosis-related treatments are unlikely to benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project explores why perimenopause may increase psychosis risk by examining how the ventral hippocampus influences dopamine systems involved in psychotic-like behaviors. Researchers will use in vivo electrophysiology, chemogenetics, and behavioral tests in a rodent model to see how aging and menopause-like changes affect dopamine signaling. They will also test whether a targeted drug approach (α5-GABAAR PAMs) could restore normal dopamine function and related behaviors. The work aims to translate these findings toward safer and more effective treatment options for perimenopausal women with psychotic symptoms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could inform safer therapies for perimenopausal women with psychosis or related conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that modulating hippocampus-dopamine pathways can affect psychosis-like behaviors in animal models, supporting this approach's potential.
Where this research is happening
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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.
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Understanding Brain Changes in Perimenopause and Psychosis
This project explores how brain changes during perimenopause might lead to psychosis and seeks new ways to help women experiencing these symptoms.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.