Nervous System/Brain

• Baulieu E, Schumacher M. Progesterone as a neuroactive neurosteroid, with special reference to the effect of progesterone on myelination. Steroids 2000 Oct-Nov;65(10-11):605-12.
  
  This paper reviews the effects of progesterone on the brain, with special focus on its role in the formation of the myelin sheath surrounding nerve fibers. Other roles of progesterone in the brain include activating GABA receptors, which induces a calming effect.
  
  
• Gibson CL, Murphy SP. Progesterone enhances functional recovery after middle cerebral artery occlusion in male mice. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2004 Jul;24(7):805-13.
  
  Differences in outcomes following ischemia have been noted in the sexes, and is thought to be attributed to sex steroids. This study investigated the potential benefits of progesterone administration after focal cerebral ischemia of the middle cerebral artery of male mice. Male mice undergoing 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) received either progesterone or vehicle following occlusion. The mice receiving progesterone had significantly reduced lesion volume (p< 0.05) when compared with the vehicle treated mice (control). Progesterone treatment also improved survival rate, weight recovery, and motor ability when compared to the control group. In addition, mice treated with progesterone demonstrated motor ability comparable to mice that did not undergo MCAO. The authors suggest the need to further investigate the mechanisms of progesterone action on recovery from cerebral injury.
  
  
• Grossman KJ, Goss CW, Stein DG. Effects of progesterone on the inflammatory response to brain injury in the rat. Brain Res. 2004 May 15;1008(1):29-39.
  
  Progesterone has a known anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, male rats treated with progesterone (4 mg/kg) and/or vehicle, were examined with respect to cellular inflammatory response to frontal cortex injury on postsurgical days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9. The treated mice suffered significantly less edema than untreated mice, as well as showed an increase in the accumulation of activated microglia, demonstrating a neuroprotective effect on the rat brain.
  
  
• Schumacher M, Guennoun R, Robert F, Carelli C, Gago N, Ghoumari A, Gonzalez Deniselle MC, Gonzalez SL, Ibanez C, Labombarda F, Coirini H, Baulieu EE, De Nicola AF. Local synthesis and dual actions of progesterone in the nervous system: neuroprotection and myelination. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2004 Jun;14 Suppl A:S18-33.
  
  This paper reviews of the effects of progesterone as an autocrine/paracrine hormone in the brain. The brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves all synthesize progesterone from the precursor, pregnenolone. Macroglial cells, including astrocytes, oligodendroglial cells and Schwann cells, also have the capacity to synthesize progesterone. This production is regulated by cellular interactions. Recent research has suggested the role progesterone plays in the brain is likely a significant one, supporting the viability of neurons and the formation of myelin sheaths. In mice and rat studies, progesterone also demonstrated a neuroprotective effect. These actions of progesterone suggest viable therapeutic possibilities for the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, as well as for repair processes and for preserving cognitive functions with age.
  
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