Pioglitazone improved functional outcomes after CCI and brain edema. (A) Neurological severity score (NSS) tested prior injury, and on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days after CCI [n = 6/group, mean ± SD and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between groups (vertical line); *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 by two-way ANOVA, NS means no statistically significant differences]. (B) Time latency spent in Morris Water Maze (MWM) test from the 16th to the 21st day after CCI [n = 6/group, mean ± SD and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between groups (vertical line); *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 by two-way ANOVA, NS means no statistically significant differences]. (C) Time spent in correct quadrant in spatial learning performance from the 16th to the 21st day after CCI [n = 6/group, mean ± SD and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between groups (vertical line); *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01 by two-way ANOVA, NS means no statistically significant differences]. (D) Times traveling across platform on MWM test on the 23rd day after CCI [n = 6/group, mean ± SD and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between groups (horizontal line); *p < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA, NS means no statistically significant differences]. (E) Percentage of brain tissue water content on the 72 h after CCI [n = 6/group, mean ± SD and asterisks indicate statistically significant differences between groups (horizontal line); *p < 0.05 by one-way ANOVA, NS means no statistically significant differences].