Neurons communicate using electrochemical signals known as action potentials. The speed of action potentials is fastest when the axons are covered by the lipid layer called myelin. Demyelination is the pathological loss of myelin, which hampers proper neuronal communication. This demyelination occurs in diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.

The incidence of MS has seen a progressive increase during the last three decades in Kuwait and worldwide. Pregnant women with MS experience less relapses, a phenomenon potentially related to the effect of a progesterone metabolite, allopregnanolone. This review presents major findings of the potential therapeutic effect of the hormone allopregnanolone on myelin repair.  

Read the full article