The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has documented that of the more than 1.5 million Americans who sustain traumatic brain injuries each year, more than 50,000 lose their lives as a result of their injuries.  Those who do survive — roughly 5 million — require help for their daily routine for almost the rest of their lives.

If we cannot stop the causes of brain injuries, perhaps we can combat the aftermath of such injuries.  USA Today reports that the National Institute of Health (NIH) has put up $14 million in financing for a nationwide study to see if progesterone can help those living with traumatic brain injuries recover faster and more efficiently.

Our brain accident lawyers in San Diego are always open to new studies to help people recover from brain injuries.  If doctors can treat brain injuries more effectively, maybe more people will avoid brain damage.  For some people, that’s the difference between life and death.

In 2004, a Georgia resident was involved with a serious auto accident that left him with a traumatic brain injury and a long term hospital stay.  Thanks to progesterone treatments — a female hormone that is used to maintain stability during pregnancy — his recovery time was cut in half.  Instead of looking at a year in the hospital, he only spent seven weeks.

The NIH is conducting a small study in the next year that will hopefully give more answers.  They want to find out why progesterone cuts back swelling in the brain, helps with normal neurological cell growth and even protects the brain.  In total, 1,140 patients with recent brain injuries at 17 hospitals will take place in this new trial.  These brain injury patients will be given either progesterone or a placebo intravenously for four days to see if there are any side effects and if their recovery time can be improved.

In past studies, half of those with traumatic brain injuries who were treated with progesterone were less likely to die than those who were given a placebo and a significant number were able to live with little-to-no physical disabilities.  The aim for this study is to get the treatment down to the right mixture to make sure everyone with a brain injury recovers fully like this man did.

The San Diego brain accident attorneys at our firm hope that this trial proves successful.  Those with serious head injuries need help.  Perhaps one day, traumatic brain injuries will not be something that means life or death, but rather just another bump in the road — or the head — thanks to progesterone treatment.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury from something caused by someone else, we urge you to contact our bilingual offices in San Diego as soon as possible following the accident at 1-858-551-2090 or please click here for a FREE consultation with an experienced brain injury attorney.  We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe nothing until we recover money on your behalf.