Understanding how stress affects men and women differently in the brain
Official title: Sex Differences in the Neurobiological Significance of Orexin Stress Signaling
Funded at University of South Dakota · NIH-10291077 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how men and women's brains react differently to stress, which could help us understand why women might face more emotional challenges and men might be at greater risk for suicide, with the hope of finding better treatments for stress-related mental health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Dakota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Vermillion, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2021 |
| Award (this year) | $427,255 |
| NIH project number | 1R15MH125306-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10291077 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who experience stress-related mental health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not experience stress-related disorders or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the differences in how male and female brains respond to stress, focusing on specific brain regions involved in emotional regulation. By examining genetic markers and neural circuits in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, the study aims to uncover why women are more prone to psychological disorders while men have higher suicide rates. The research utilizes advanced techniques to analyze the role of orexin receptors in modulating stress responses, which could lead to targeted treatments for stress-related mental health issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for stress-related mental health disorders tailored to the specific needs of men and women.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding sex differences in stress responses, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Summers, Cliff H — University of South Dakota
- Study coordinator: Summers, Cliff H
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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.