Progesterone Facilitates Cognitive Recovery and Reduces Secondary Neuronal Loss Caused by Cortical Contusion Injury in Male Rats

摘要: The ability of progesterone to reduce the cerebral edema associated with traumatic brain damage first became apparent when we observed that males had significantly more than females after cortical contusion. In addition, was almost absent in pseudopregnant female rats, a condition which levels are high relative estrogen. Progesterone injections given injury also reduced and were equally effective both females. present experiment done determine if progesterone-induced reduction could prevent secondary neuronal degeneration behavioral impairments accompany contusion medial frontal cortex. Progesterone-treated rats less impaired on Morris water maze spatial navigation task treated oil vehicle. showed 21 days dorsal thalamic nucleus, structure has reciprocal connections contused area.