The present invention provides methods for the treatment or the prevention of neuronal damage in the CNS. Specifically, the methods of the invention provide for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a progestin or progestin metabolite following a traumatic or ischemic injury to the CNS such that, prior to termination of administration of the progestin or progestin metabolite the administration is tapered to avoid withdrawal. The drug taper employed can involve a linear taper, an exponential taper, progressively dividing administered doses by 50%, or can be determined based on the treating physicians assessment of the patients response to therapy. The tapered administration methods of the present invention may be used in combination with any therapeutic protocol or regimen for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a progestin or progestin metabolite to treat a traumatic or ischemic CNS injury.
