News in Brief Neuroscience

After injury, estrogen may shield the brain

Inflammation goes down when the sex hormone increases around an injury

Brain injury

HEAD CASE  Brain injury can cause chronic inflammation that further harms delicate neural tissue. High levels of estrogen may be able to protect against this effect, a study in birds suggests.

KatarzynaBialasiewicz/istockphoto

By Bethany Brookshire

- More than 2 years ago

WASHINGTON — Estrogen can protect the brain from harmful inflammation following traumatic injury, a new study in zebra finches suggests.