For three decades researcher have searched for compounds to use in cases of traumatic brain injury. All clinical trials failed, so far. A team at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, has demonstrated the first water-soluble, injectable pharmaceutical agent that is effective in animal models of traumatic brain injury.
The compound in question is a C-20 oxime conjugate derivative of the female menstrual hormone progesterone. Pharmacodynamic analysis shows that the observed restorative activity is primarily due to a non-progesterone steroidal analog.
- Water-Soluble Progesterone Analogues Are Effective, Injectable Treatments in Animal Models of Traumatic Brain Injury,
D. B. Guthrie, D. G. Stein, D. C. Liotta, M. A. Lockwood, I. Sayeed, F. Atif, R. F. Arrendale, G. P. Reddy, T. J. Evers, J. R. Marengo, R. B. Howard, D. G. Culver, M. G. Natchus,
ACS Med. Chem. Lett. 2012.
DOI: 10.1021/ml200303r