Cognitive · In Clinical Trials
Cerebrolysin
No lawful US pathway
01 · Overview
A porcine brain-derived preparation of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids with proposed neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties (PMID 37818733). In transgenic Alzheimer mouse models, Cerebrolysin reduced APP and tau phosphorylation by modulating GSK-3beta and CDK5 activity and lessened neurodegeneration (PMID 19252918).
These mechanistic findings come from animal studies.
02 · Research summary & key findings
Not FDA-approved; widely used for acute ischemic stroke in Russia, Eastern Europe, China, and other Asian countries (PMID 37818733). A meta-analysis of 6 RCTs in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease found benefits on global clinical change at 4 weeks and 6 months, with cognitive benefit significant only at 4 weeks (Gauthier et al., Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 2015) (PMID 25832905). The CASTA trial of 1,070 patients with acute ischemic stroke was neutral on its primary endpoint, with only a post hoc trend favoring severe strokes (PMID 22282884). A 2023 Cochrane review found little to no difference in death and no data on functional outcome (PMID 37818733). A meta-analysis of the CAPTAIN trials in moderate-severe traumatic brain injury reported a small-to-medium benefit (PMID 33620612).
03 · Regulatory status
Cerebrolysin is currently undergoing clinical trials. It is not yet FDA-approved and is available only through clinical research settings or investigational protocols.
No lawful pathway today
Cerebrolysin is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so there is nothing for us to sell you here and no consultation to book. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding.
Tell me if the status changes
One email, only if this compound's regulatory standing actually moves. Not a newsletter, not a sales sequence.
Looking for a lawful, clinician-prescribed option for cognitive support?
Cerebrolysin is still in clinical trials, is not FDA-approved, and has no lawful US compounding pathway, so we do not offer it and no clinician we work with will prescribe it. Products sold online as “research chemicals” are not made or tested to the standards required of medicines. If you are working on cognitive support, a licensed clinician can tell you at a free consultation whether an FDA-approved or lawfully compounded treatment fits you, or whether nothing does.
Explore lawful options (free intake)About 3 minutes. If a protocol is prescribed through our provider, we earn 10% of the sale. See the receipts.
04 · Administration routes
- Intravenous
- Intramuscular injection
References
- [1]Neurofibrillary and neurodegenerative pathology in APP-transgenic mice injected with AAV2-mutant TAU: neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin Acta Neuropathol, 2009. PMID 19252918
- [2]Cerebrolysin in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Asia: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial Stroke, 2012. PMID 22282884
- [3]Cerebrolysin in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 2015. PMID 25832905
- [4]Cerebrolysin after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: prospective meta-analysis of the CAPTAIN trial series Neurol Sci, 2021. PMID 33620612
- [5]Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2023. PMID 37818733
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Cerebrolysin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Cerebrolysin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Cerebrolysin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
Related peptides in Cognitive
Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.