Sex Hormones Modulate Pathogenic Processes in Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Clinical and animal studies indicated sex-specific differences in outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). In this study, male and female mice were subjected to TBI and treated with letrozole (LET) and finasteride (FIN) to inhibit sex hormone synthesis. Larger brain lesions were observed in males, but neither treatment affected lesion size. LET worsened neurological deficits, while FIN reduced markers of excitotoxicity in males. LET increased reactive astrocyte markers in females. Both treatments influenced neurotrophin receptor expression. The findings suggested that sex hormones modulated pathogenic processes in TBI, with distinct effects in males and females.