Encyclopedia

Cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin is a mixture of small peptides and amino acids derived from pig brain tissue, sold for reported neurotrophic effects. More than 50 countries market it for stroke, dementia, and TBI, and human trials exist, though their quality is debated and the US has never approved it. Educational, not medical advice.

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Category	Cognitive
Regulatory status	Not FDA-approved in the US.

Mechanism

A mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brain tissue, reported to have neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects.

Half-life

Not well defined; as a peptide mixture it has no single half-life.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved in the US. Marketed/approved in many other countries (50+, e.g., stroke, dementia, TBI). In the US it is unapproved; importation/use is gray-market.

Safety

Where used clinically, generally well tolerated; possible dizziness, agitation, infusion/injection-site reactions. As an animal-derived biologic, theoretical immunogenicity/contamination concerns; US oversight absent.

Evidence

Multiple human clinical trials internationally (stroke, dementia, TBI); evidence quality debated, not FDA-approved.

Sources

Windisch M, et al. Comparing the biological activity and composition of Cerebrolysin with other peptide preparations. Int J Mol Sci. 2024. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38737662/
Gauthier S, et al. Cerebrolysin in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2015;39(5-6):332-347. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25832905/
Chen N, et al. Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(1):CD008900. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23440834/
Bornstein NM, et al. Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in early post-stroke recovery: a meta-analysis of nine randomized clinical trials. Neurol Sci. 2018;39(4):629-640. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29248999/
Chang WH, et al. Cerebrolysin combined with rehabilitation promotes motor recovery in patients with severe motor impairment after stroke. BMC Neurology. 2016;16:31. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26944671/
Muresanu DF, et al. Efficacy and safety of cerebrolysin in neurorecovery after moderate-severe traumatic brain injury: results from the CAPTAIN II trial. Neurol Sci. 2020;41(5):1171-1181. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31897886/
Thome J, Doppler E. Safety profile of Cerebrolysin: clinical experience from dementia and stroke trials. Drugs Today. 2012;48(Suppl A):89-97. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22514795/
Ziganshina LE, et al. Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020;7(7):CD007026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32662068/

PepWise is an informational and educational tracking tool, not medical advice and not a medical device. Cerebrolysin may be experimental, restricted, or prescription-only; many research peptides are not FDA-approved. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, changing, or stopping any protocol. Operated by STC Consulting, Inc.