Last reviewed: 2026-08-18
Also known as
Status: Prescription medication in some countries
Full composition (formula, molecular weight, sequence) in Quick Facts →
Cerebrolysin has been evaluated in multiple randomized trials in acute ischemic stroke and dementia. The large CASTA trial in Asian stroke patients found no significant overall benefit on its primary endpoint, though a predefined subgroup analysis suggested improvement in moderate stroke. In Alzheimer's disease, randomized trials report cognitive and global improvements versus placebo, including when added to donepezil, but results are heterogeneous and the drug is not FDA approved.
Animal models of stroke and traumatic brain injury show neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin, including reduced infarct volume and enhanced neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity.
In vitro studies demonstrate neurotrophic factor-like activity and protection of cultured neurons against excitotoxicity and oxidative stress, attributed to the preparation's peptides and amino acids.
Whether Cerebrolysin's modest trial signals translate into meaningful long-term functional gains is debated; regulatory status varies by country and it is marketed mainly outside the United States.
In the CASTA double-blind RCT in ~1,070 Asian patients with acute ischemic stroke, Cerebrolysin showed no significant benefit on the primary endpoint versus placebo, though subgroup analysis suggested improvement in patients with moderate stroke.
A randomized, controlled trial found that adding Cerebrolysin to donepezil improved outcomes in Alzheimer's disease patients versus donepezil alone.
A Cochrane systematic review of Cerebrolysin for acute ischemic stroke concluded that evidence for benefit is limited and of low certainty, with most trials at risk of bias.
Onset: Hours-days
Management: Symptomatic; dose reduction
Dose-dependent
Onset: During/after IV
Management: Slow infusion rate
Dose-dependent
Onset: Days-weeks
Management: Dose adjustment; anxiolytics if severe
Onset: Minutes-hours
Management: DISCONTINUE; epinephrine, supportive care
Onset: Variable
Management: CONTRAINDICATED in epilepsy
Reported values from research literature and community protocols. Educational reference only — not a dosing recommendation or medical advice.
30 mL 10-21 day course
Research protocols are for educational purposes only. Always consult qualified medical professionals.
No. Cerebrolysin is approved in some countries outside the US (e.g., parts of Europe, Russia, China) for stroke and dementia, but it has not been approved by the FDA.
Evidence is mixed. The large CASTA trial found no significant overall benefit on its primary endpoint, though subgroup analysis suggested benefit in moderate stroke, and a Cochrane review considers the evidence low certainty.
Typically by intravenous infusion or intramuscular injection in repeated courses; it is a porcine brain-derived peptide/amino acid mixture, so dosing follows study protocols or local approvals.
Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Nurkhametova D, Ivanchenko K (2023)
Cui S, Chen N, Yang M, Guo J, Zhou M, Zhu C, He L (2019)
Brainin M (2018)
+ 16 more citations
Molecular Weight
2000.00
Mechanism
Neurotrophic peptide mixture for neuroprotection
Prescription medication in many countries. Requires medical supervision.
Ziganshina LE, Abakumova T, Nurkhametova D, Ivanchenko K (2023)
Cui S, Chen N, Yang M, Guo J, Zhou M, Zhu C, He L (2019)
Brainin M (2018)
+ 16 more citations