No Clinical Benefits Found Among Hormone Therapy For TBI Patients

Previous studies have shown that progesterone can improve treatment and recovery in women suffering from traumatic brain injury. Unfortunately, a recent study shows that the hormone is not more effective than a placebo in treating TBI patients. 

For the study, 1,140 TBI patients were included though the number was cut to 882 after it was determined that additional enrollment would not be beneficial. Forty-nine trauma centers throughout the United States were assessed from July 2009 to November 2013. Results showed no significant different between scores of the progesterone-treated group and the placebo group.

Findings revealed no difference between placebo groups and those with progesterone treatments. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with a favorable outcome on the Glasgow Outcome scale was about 50 percent with progesterone and 51 percent with the placebo.

Progesterone is a naturally occurring hormone found in both men and women that can help with reproductive health and brain development. Though phlebitis, a vein inflammation, was more common in the progesterone-treated group, participants received infusion over four-days with little to no side effects.

The trial results were not what we had hoped. Scientists must now redouble their efforts to develop treatments that protect the brain and enhance its natural recovery mechanisms," said Walter Koroshetz, M.D., National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke acting director.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the New England Journal of Medicine.

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