Funding outcome

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in Canada, and women are especially affected. After menopause, women have a higher risk of stroke and often experience worse recovery. One serious type of stroke, called a brain bleed, can cause ongoing brain damage, disability, and death. Currently, there are very few effective treatments available. Our study will determine whether progesterone, a natural hormone that decreases after menopause, can help protect from a brain bleed. Previous research suggests progesterone may reduce swelling and inflammation in the brain, but it has not been well studied in post-menopausal females. Also, they used short treatment times that do not match how long brain injury occurs after stroke. Using a rat model that mimics menopause, we will test whether giving progesterone continuously over several days improves recovery after a bleed in the brain. We will also develop a new way to give progesterone concentrating it in damaged areas of the brain. This should reduce side effects in the rest of the body. We will measure behavioural recovery and the total amount of brain injury. The goal is to find a safe and effective treatment approach that could eventually be tested in people. This research is important because women are underrepresented in stroke research, especially after menopause. By focusing on post-menopausal females and using clinically relevant treatment methods, this project aims to improve our understanding of women’s brain health. This supports the development of better stroke therapies in the future.