Cerebrolysin: Complete Guide
Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived peptide preparation consisting of low-molecular-weight peptides and free amino acids obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of purified pig brain proteins. It is approved in over 50 countries for the treatment of stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and dementia, though it is not FDA-approved. Cerebrolysin mimics the action of endogenous neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, CNTF), promoting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and neurogenesis.
Last updated: 2026-01-29
Quick Facts
- Category
- nootropic
- Also Known As
- FPE 1070
- Related Goals
- cognitive enhancement
Who Researches Cerebrolysin?
Cerebrolysin is researched by people dealing with neurological conditions — particularly post-stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive decline. If you're exploring nootropic peptides for cognitive enhancement, Cerebrolysin has more clinical trial evidence than most — including large randomized controlled trials in stroke patients. It's often compared to other neuroprotective peptides like Semax and Dihexa, though Cerebrolysin's evidence base is substantially larger.
Related Resources
- Comparisons: Cerebrolysin vs Semax
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What Is Cerebrolysin?
Cerebrolysin was developed by EVER Neuro Pharma (Austria) and has been in clinical use since the 1970s. It is produced through standardized enzymatic proteolysis of purified porcine brain tissue, yielding a mixture of approximately 25% biologically active low-molecular-weight peptides and 75% free amino acids.
The peptide fraction contains sequences that mimic the activity of endogenous neurotrophic factors — brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF). This neurotrophic factor-like activity distinguishes Cerebrolysin from simple amino acid supplements.
Mechanism of Action
Cerebrolysin's neurotrophic peptides act through several pathways:
- Neurotrophic signaling: Activates TrkB (BDNF receptor) and other neurotrophin receptor pathways, promoting neuronal survival and differentiation
- Synaptic plasticity: Enhances long-term potentiation (LTP) — the cellular basis of learning and memory
- Neurogenesis: Stimulates proliferation of neural stem cells in the subventricular zone and hippocampus
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces neuroinflammation following ischemic or traumatic injury
- Amyloid processing: May modulate amyloid precursor protein processing, relevant to Alzheimer's research
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Dosage Overview
| Indication | Dose | Route | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acute stroke | 30 mL/day | IV infusion | 10–21 days |
| TBI | 30 mL/day | IV infusion | 10–21 days |
| Cognitive decline | 5–10 mL/day | IM injection | 20–30 days, repeated |
| Nootropic research | 5 mL/day | IM injection | 10–20 days cycles |
Cerebrolysin comes as a pre-made injectable solution — no reconstitution required. IV infusion doses above 10 mL should be diluted in physiological saline and infused over 15–60 minutes.
Side Effects & Safety
- Injection site reactions: Most common — pain and irritation at IM injection sites
- Dizziness: Reported in clinical trials, usually transient
- Headache: Occasional, typically mild
- Agitation: Rare; more common in dementia patients
- Allergic reactions: Rare but possible given porcine-derived origin
- Contraindicated: In patients with severe renal impairment, epilepsy, or allergic diathesis