allopregnanolone increases human neural stem cells. Not only does allopregnanolone reduce inflammation, it plays a role in neurogenesis and thus recovery.
Progesterone and allopregnanolone shown to have neuroprotective and neurogenesis properties in the brain. BDNF was positively correlated with progesterone. So as women age, progesterone falls, as progesterone falls, then BDNF falls and neuroplasticity declines and thus we see neurodegenerative disorders. And hormones are not needed? Who are these scientists that don't read research?!
Abstract on listed here: but bioidentical progesterone and allopregnanolone (product of progesterone metabolism) shown to reduce inflammation after TBI. This inflammation is what results in much of the post-TBI complications.
The progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone is shown to play a significant role in the PMDD symptoms. The mechanism is via a paradoxical GABA-A effect.
Only the abstract is available, but this study looks at the effects of progesterone through progesterone receptors and the progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone via the GABA A receptors in the brain.