7-hydroxyepiandrosterone having neuroprotective activity

Abstract

3-Hydroxy-7β-hydroxy steroids and 3-oxo-7β-hydroxy steroids and pharmaceutically acceptable esters thereof are useful for protection against neuronal damage.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . A method of treating neuronal damage in a mammal comprising administering thereto an effective amount of 7α-hydroxyepiandrosterone. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the neuronal damage is caused by stroke or brain trauma. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the neuronal damage is caused by Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Cognitive Impairment No Dementia, spinal cord injury, or peripheral nerve injury. 
   
   
       10 . A method for reducing neuronal cell death following acute neuronal damage in a mammal comprising administering thereto an effective amount of 7α-hydroxyepiandrosterone. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the acute neuronal damage is caused by stroke. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the acute neuronal damage is caused by spinal cord injury. 
   
   
       13 . A method for reducing neuronal cell death following chronic neuronal damage in a mammal comprising administering thereto an effective amount of 7α-hydroxyepiandrosterone. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the chronic neuronal damage is caused by Alzheimer's Disease. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein the chronic neuronal damage is caused by Parkinson's Disease.