Progesterone and Its Metabolites: Anticonvulsant and Behavioral Studies
TLDR Progesterone and its metabolites can prevent seizures without major side effects.
The study explored the anticonvulsant properties of progesterone and its metabolites, particularly focusing on 5-alpha-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and 3-alpha,5-alpha-tetrahydroprogesterone (THP). Behavioral experiments in amygdala-kindled rats showed that anticonvulsant doses of DHP and THP (5-10 mg/kg) did not cause significant psychotoxicity in tests for anxiety, depression, locomotion, and learning, with minimal effects observed only in the Morris water maze. Electrophysiological studies in mice revealed that progesterone had anticonvulsant effects independent of its metabolites, as high doses of progesterone remained effective even when its metabolism to DHP and THP was inhibited by finasteride. This suggested a non-GABAergic mechanism of action for progesterone, marking a novel discovery in the field.
