What it is
Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from purified pig brain proteins. It is used in several countries, mainly outside the United States, for stroke, dementia and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under cognitive. Because it is a porcine-derived preparation rather than a single synthetic peptide, it differs from most compounds covered on this site.
How it's thought to work
Cerebrolysin is described as acting in a neurotrophic-factor-like manner, meaning it behaves like the natural proteins that support nerve cell survival. Reported actions include supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, along with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects (reducing programmed cell death) across neural tissue.
What the research says
Cerebrolysin is approved and used in Russia, China and parts of Europe and Asia for stroke, dementia and TBI, and it is not FDA-approved. A 2019 Cochrane review of Cerebrolysin in vascular dementia reported improved cognition and general function, but rated the evidence very low quality and said the supporting evidence base is weak. A 2025 meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials in acute ischemic stroke reported a significant improvement on a neurological score, with a non-significant trend for functional independence. A prospective meta-analysis of two randomized trials in moderate to severe TBI reported a small-to-medium effect in favor of Cerebrolysin at 30 and 90 days.
Reported side effects
Reported effects in clinical use include injection site reactions, dizziness, agitation with rapid infusion, and rare hypersensitivity reactions.
Form
Cerebrolysin is supplied as a ready-made solution in ampoules, so it is not reconstituted from powder.
Important notes
Cerebrolysin is porcine-derived. It is approved in some countries but not by the FDA.
Sources
- Cerebrolysin for vascular dementia.. Cui S et al. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019. Review
- Safety and Efficacy of Cerebrolysin for Neurorecovery After Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 14 Randomized Controlled Trials.. Patel PN et al. Cureus, 2025. Review
- Cerebrolysin after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: prospective meta-analysis of the CAPTAIN trial series.. Vester JC et al. Neurological Sciences, 2021. Human trial
- Cerebrolysin: a review of its use in dementia.. Plosker GL et al. Drugs & Aging, 2009. Review
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is Cerebrolysin?
A mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from pig brain proteins, used in several countries for stroke, dementia and traumatic brain injury.
How is Cerebrolysin thought to work?
It is described as acting like neurotrophic factors, supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects.
What does the research on Cerebrolysin say?
Meta-analyses of randomized trials report modest benefits in stroke, vascular dementia and traumatic brain injury, but a 2019 Cochrane review rated the vascular dementia evidence as very low quality.
What are the reported side effects of Cerebrolysin?
Reported effects include injection site reactions, dizziness, agitation with rapid infusion and rare hypersensitivity.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for Cerebrolysin — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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