# The impacts of shift work-like lighting on neuroendocrine function

> **NIH NIH F31** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $27,248

## Abstract

Project Summary
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a depressive disorder that impacts women during the luteal phase
of their menstrual cycle. Women participating in shift work (work outside of the typical 9 am – 5 pm shifts) have
a 50% increased risk of premenstrual disorders, such as PMDD. However, current treatments for PMDD are
limited and do not address both the mental health and reproductive symptoms experienced. An improved
understanding of the overlap between the impact of mistimed light exposure experienced during shift work,
female reproductive health, and mental health is needed to better treat women with premenstrual disorders.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) neurons within the suprachiasmatic nucleus are a strong candidate population
as a shared neuronal origin of the reproductive and mental health problems experienced by shift workers and
women experiencing PMDD. VIP neurons from the suprachiasmatic nucleus relay time-of-day information to the
brain and body based on the light input received from the eye. VIP neurons also regulate the reproductive
gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons, having an impact on reproductive hormone release, making them a
strong target to rescue reproductive and mental health problems. Using a mouse model, I aim to better our
understanding of the impacts of light shifts mimicking shiftwork on the body and target VIP neurons to rescue
reproductive and mental health problems. Aim 1 will use our novel light shift paradigm to determine the impact
of rotating light shifts on reproductive hormone levels, anhedonia, and antisocial behaviors in female mice. Aim
2 will use a targeted viral approach to determine how inhibited suprachiasmatic nucleus VIP neurons in mice
drive anhedonia and antisocial behaviors. The findings from this project will give us new insights into the potential
mechanism causing PMDD, allowing for more targeted treatments.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10995427
- **Project number:** 1F31HD114529-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Brooke Marie Van Loh
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $27,248
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-12-17 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10995427

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10995427, The impacts of shift work-like lighting on neuroendocrine function (1F31HD114529-01A1). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/10995427. Licensed CC0.

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