Danny
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 Posted: 10/03/06 - 09:14 Post subject: Female hormone found helpful in brain injuries |
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Scientists from the Emory University in Atlanta showed how progesterone, a female hormone cuts risks of disability and deaths in people who suffered brain injuries. Progesterone is a well-known hormone produced by the ovaries to prepare the womb for the possible pregnancy.
Both animal and human studies gave the same results. In people with brain injuries, progesterone was able to decrease swelling of the brain, to preserve nerves from dying and to improve functions. The difference between progesterone and other available treatments and the progesterone’s advantage lies in its ability to enter the brain quicker, its easy administration, low costs and safety.
In a study performed with people, brain injury patients were either given intravenous dose of progesterone or placebo. Thirty days after the injury, patients from the progesterone group had 13% death rate while placebo group had 30%. Progesterone was found to cut death risks by 57%.
Its use has been found safe and few side effects occurred like
inflammation at the injection site, which was minor and easily treated.
Another, however, not so comforting fact was found during the study. Only patients with mild brain injuries were found to have benefits with progesterone treatment. Those with severe brain injuries had no benefits at all. |
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