Cerebrolysin
A porcine brain-derived peptide preparation with neurotrophic properties, approved in several countries for stroke recovery and cognitive disorders.
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What is Cerebrolysin?
Cerebrolysin is a peptide preparation derived from porcine brain tissue that mimics the action of naturally occurring neurotrophic factors. It has been approved in over 40 countries for the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia. It contains a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids that can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Why People Talk About It
Stroke recovery and rehabilitation
StrongTraumatic brain injury recovery
ModerateAlzheimer's disease and dementia
ModerateCognitive enhancement
EmergingHow It Works
Cerebrolysin provides the brain with building blocks and growth signals similar to those naturally produced during brain development. It helps protect existing brain cells and may support the growth of new neural connections after injury.
Common Questions
Safety Information
Common Side Effects
Cautions
- • Not FDA-approved in the US
- • Must be administered intravenously
- • Contraindicated in epilepsy
- • Porcine-derived — not suitable for some patients
What We Don't Know
Optimal treatment duration and long-term cognitive benefits beyond acute recovery phases need more study.
Published Research
33 studies[The effect of Cerebrolysin on the development of skills in patients after acute cerebrovascular accidents]
Therapeutic strategies in vascular cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis
[Cerebrolysin as an early add-on to reperfusion therapy: heterogeneous treatment effect analysis in ischemic stroke patients with varying risk of hemorrhagic transformation]
The Efficacy and Safety of Alzheimer's Disease Therapies: An Updated Umbrella Review
Cerebrolysin after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: prospective meta-analysis of the CAPTAIN trial series
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia
Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in early post-stroke recovery: a meta-analysis of nine randomized clinical trials
A meta-analysis of the effect of different neuroprotective drugs in management of patients with traumatic brain injury
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in motor function recovery after stroke: a meta-analysis of the CARS trials
Efficacy and Safety of Cerebrolysin for Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Cerebrolysin for functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Cerebrolysin in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials
Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia
[Cerebrolysin for acute ischemic stroke]
Meta-analysis: the efficacy of nootropic agent Cerebrolysin in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke
Speech Therapy Combined With Cerebrolysin in Enhancing Nonfluent Aphasia Recovery After Acute Ischemic Stroke: ESCAS Randomized Pilot Study
[Cerebrolysin and the optimal timing of anticoagulation resumption in stroke: combined post hoc survival analysis of the CEREHETIS trial]
[Cerebrolysin in the preventive therapy of dementia in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment: a three-year prospective comparative study]
Prospective Randomized Control Trial to Compare the Role of Injection Cerebrolysin for 10 Days Duration Against Placebo in Operated Cases of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
The effectiveness of cerebrolysin, a multi-modal neurotrophic factor, for treatment of post-covid-19 persistent olfactory, gustatory and trigeminal chemosensory dysfunctions: a randomized clinical trial
Add-on treatment with Cerebrolysin improves clinical symptoms in patients with ALS: results from a prospective, single-center, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind, phase II study
Extended Poststroke Rehabilitation Combined with Cerebrolysin Promotes Upper Limb Motor Recovery in Early Subacute Phase of Rehabilitation: A Randomized Clinical Study
[Effects of simultaneous use of Cerebrolysin and alteplase on hemorrhagic transformation of brain infarction and functional outcome in stroke patients: CEREHETIS, a randomized, multicenter pilot trial]
Prospective Randomized Control Pilot Study to Compare the Role of Injection Cerebrolysin in Operated cases of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy
Efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin treatment in early recovery after acute ischemic stroke: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, multicenter clinical trial
Cerebrolysin: a review of its use in dementia
Safety profile of Cerebrolysin: clinical experience from dementia and stroke trials
Always consult a qualified clinician
This information is for educational purposes. Peptide therapy should be guided by a licensed healthcare provider. Connect with a Noho clinician
Research Insights
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Quick Facts
- Class
- Neurotrophic Peptide Complex
- Evidence
- Strong
- Safety
- Well-Studied
- Updated
- Feb 2026
- Citations
- 33PubMed
Also known as
Tags
Related Goals
Evidence Score
Clinical Trials
View Clinical TrialsLinks to ClinicalTrials.gov for reference. Listing does not imply endorsement.
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