A study will commence at 17 hospitals around the country in the spring of 2010 to determine the effectiveness of progesterone as an emergency treatment for traumatic brain injuries. Since brain injury patients often arrive at the hospital, the FDA has regulations in place to allow doctors to perform experimental treatments on patients without getting informed consent under emergency conditions. The study, coordinated by Emory University and the University of Michigan, will involve comparing the differences between an intravenous dose of progesterone and a placebo in brain injury patients, according to the Detroit Protect Web site.
In Detroit, the study will be conducted at the Henry Ford Hospital, the Detroit Receiving Hospital, Sinai Grace Hospital, and Beaumont Hospital. Patients who arrive at one of the four hospitals within four hours of enduring a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury will be eligible to participate in the study and will receive either progesterone injections or placebos. The scientists’ goal is to determine whether or not progesterone can lessen patients’ chances of becoming disabled or dying from their brain injuries, according to aDetroit Free Press article.
The study will receive funding from the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, a division of the National Institute of Health. Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in children and adults under 44, according to a Henry Ford Newsarticle.
Previous studies using progesterone to treat brain injuries in animal models have proven successful in reducing the amount of brain damage suffered by the subjects. The current study will demonstrate the efficacy of the same methods in human subjects. Within a year or two, progesterone may emerge as a safe and effective treatment for reducing the severity and long-term damage associated with traumatic brain injuries.
References:
Anstett, Patricia. (February 10, 2010) ‘4 metro Detroit hospitals take part in brain injury study.’ Retrieved on February 10, 2010 from the Free Press Web site:http://www.freep.com/article/20100210/BUSINESS06/100210029/1320/Hospital…
Detroit Protect Staff. (February 10, 2010) ‘Detroit ProTECT Trial’ Retrieved on February 11, 2010 from the Detroit Protect Web site: http://www.detroitprotect.org/
Olejarz, David. (February 11, 2010) ‘Study Tests Using Progesterone to Treat Brain Injuries.’ Retrieved on February 11, 2010 from the Henry Ford Health System Web site:http://www.henryfordhealth.org/body.cfm?id=46335&action=detail&ref=1057