Cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin is a standardised mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids derived from purified porcine brain proteins. The active neuropeptide fraction (approximately 25% of composition) exerts effects that closely mimic endogenous neurotrophic factors including BDNF, NGF, CNTF, and GDNF — the proteins responsible for neuronal survival, growth, and synaptic plasticity. Key mechanisms include: stimulation of neurogenesis in the hippocampus, enhancement of synaptic density and plasticity, neuroprotection against glutamate excitotoxicity and oxidative stress, reduction of amyloid precursor protein processing (relevant to Alzheimer's pathology), and promotion of neurite outgrowth. Unlike individual peptides like Semax or Selank, which target specific receptor pathways, Cerebrolysin delivers a complex mixture of signals that broadly supports brain trophic factor signalling.

Developed by EVER Pharma in Austria, where it has been approved and in clinical use since the 1970s. Registered and widely used in Germany, China, Russia, South Korea, and over 30 other countries for vascular dementia, Alzheimer's disease, stroke recovery, and traumatic brain injury. Over 150 published clinical studies, including multiple randomised controlled trials demonstrating cognitive improvements in Alzheimer's (mean ADAS-cog improvement of 3.5 points in a meta-analysis of 10 RCTs) and functional improvements in stroke recovery. The cognitive enhancement application in healthy individuals is supported by smaller studies showing improved attention, processing speed, and learning capacity. Among all cognitive peptide compounds in this database, Cerebrolysin has the most extensive human clinical evidence — it is the most clinically validated cognitive therapeutic behind approved pharmaceuticals.

10–20 day intensive courses, 2 times per year