Grant: Canada Postdoctoral Research Award (CPRA) program

Hormonal contraceptives, or "birth control," are used by more than 300 million women worldwide, with teenagers being the largest group of new users. While birth control is safe and effective for preventing pregnancy, large studies suggest that starting it during adolescence may increase the risk of depression. Our research uses advanced brain imaging and molecular tools in animal models to understand why this happens. We will first identify which brain cells and pathways are most affected by hormonal contraceptives, then test how these changes alter brain function over time, and finally see if treatments that block harmful pathways can reverse the effects. By uncovering biological "fingerprints" of depression risk, this work will help guide safer, more personalized contraceptive choices and improve mental health outcomes for young women.