Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin (Neuropeptide Preparation)
Also called Cerebrolysin, FPF-1070
A neuropeptide preparation licensed abroad for stroke and dementia
Cerebrolysin is not a single peptide but a mixture of small peptides and amino acids extracted from brain tissue. It is a prescription medicine in parts of Europe and Asia, given in hospital by infusion or injection, mostly after stroke or for dementia. It has decades of clinical use and is not approved in the US.
A mixture of small neuropeptides and amino acids extracted from brain tissue, intended to mimic the body's own neurotrophic factors. It has more human trial data than the other compounds in the cognitive category, but for specific uses: stroke recovery and dementia, not general cognitive enhancement. It is licensed in parts of Europe and Asia and in Russia; it is not FDA-approved.
- Route studied
- Intravenous infusion, intramuscular (licensed product)
- Status
- Licensed in parts of Europe and Asia; not approved in the US
Studied in people, and well studied in preclinical models
What Cerebrolysin has been studied for
The reasons people look it up, roughly in order of how often, and what research exists for each. Interest in a use is not evidence that it works; the evidence is stated under each one.
- Recovery after stroke
- The main licensed use where it is approved. The largest randomised trials are in acute stroke, with mixed results across them.
- Dementia and cognitive decline
- Its other licensed use in the countries that approve it, studied in vascular and Alzheimer's dementia.
- Traumatic brain injury
- Studied clinically for this in several countries, with a smaller evidence base than the stroke work.
Mechanism of Action
How Cerebrolysin works
Cerebrolysin acts like the brain's own growth factors:
- Neurotrophic mimicry. In laboratory work its peptide fraction mimics BDNF, GDNF and other neurotrophic factors involved in neuron survival.
- Neuroprotection. In preclinical models it reduced excitotoxic and oxidative damage after injury, the rationale for its stroke and brain injury trials.
- Plasticity. Preclinical studies report neurite outgrowth and synaptic remodelling.
- Indication-specific evidence. The trial base is in stroke and dementia; it does not transfer to healthy people seeking enhancement.
Cerebrolysin side effects: what studies reported
Given by infusion in hospital, so most reported effects relate to the infusion itself.
Most commonly reported
- Feeling hot or flushed during the infusion
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Injection-site reactions
Worth keeping an eye on
- Agitation or trouble sleeping
- It is derived from porcine brain tissue, which matters for allergy and for anyone whose diet or beliefs exclude it
Reasons to check first
- Epilepsy, since seizures have been reported and prescribers screen for it
- Severe kidney impairment
Dose-related findings. Feeling hot, dizzy or nauseated during an infusion is reported more with faster infusion rates.
Source: Decades of prescribing experience in Europe and Asia, plus trial data. This is a summary of published findings, not a complete safety profile and not medical advice. Questions about Cerebrolysin belong with a licensed clinician who knows your history.
Your Genetics & Cerebrolysin
The genes involved in how Cerebrolysin works
Cerebrolysin works through the receptors these genes build, and the genes vary from person to person. Researchers have linked some of that variation to differences in how people respond. A DNA report tells you which versions you carry.
BDNF · ••
The Val66Met variant has been associated with reduced activity-dependent BDNF secretion in laboratory studies and with memory traits in some human studies. No study has tested whether it changes response to Cerebrolysin.
APOE · ••
APOE e4 is the best-established common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. That is a statement about risk, not about response to Cerebrolysin, which has not been studied by APOE genotype in a way that guides use.
NTRK2 builds TrkB, the receptor that neurotrophic signals act through. Variants have been studied for association with mood and cognitive traits. Pathway context only.
The dots after each gene are where your own result goes. Your report fills them in with the two letters you carry at that position.
Which of these variants do you carry?
Your report reads the DNA file you already have against this research.
Often discussed alongside
Compounds that come up next to Cerebrolysin in research and discussion. Each has its own page. None of this is a suggestion to combine them.
Semax
also used in stroke care in RussiaEmerging EvidenceSemax (ACTH 4-10 Analog with Pro-Gly-Pro)
A synthetic seven-amino-acid peptide derived from ACTH (4-10), with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension for stability. Developed in Russia and approved there, mainly in stroke care. In laboratory and preclinical work it raises BDNF and acts on the melanocortin system. It is not approved in the US or the EU, and most of its clinical literature is Russian.
4
Gene variants
40+
Studies
Access
Access and legal status
Cerebrolysin: Licensed in parts of Europe and Asia; not approved in the US. Decisions about any prescription medicine belong to a prescriber. We don't link to any seller, and nothing on this page is a recommendation to obtain or use it.
Your DNA and Cerebrolysin: see which of the variants studied alongside it you carry, and what that research does and does not show. Read my DNA, $99 →
Educational information only, not medical advice. Most peptides are not FDA-approved. Do not start, stop or change any medication or peptide because of this page; talk to a licensed clinician.
Worth knowing about Cerebrolysin
Interactions and situations where there is a specific reason to be careful. Where the honest answer is that nobody has studied something, it says so and says what that leaves open.
- Its source tissue
- It is extracted from porcine brain tissue. Worth stating plainly, because it matters to some people for allergy and for reasons that are not medical.
- A hospital medicine where it is licensed
- Where it is approved it is given by infusion or intramuscular injection under medical supervision. It is not approved in the US.
Last updated
Frequently Asked Questions
What is cerebrolysin used for?
Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation licensed in parts of Europe and Asia for stroke recovery and dementia. In laboratory work it mimics the brain's neurotrophic factors. Its trial evidence is for stroke and dementia, with mixed results, not for enhancement in healthy people.
Do genes affect cerebrolysin response?
No study has established a genotype that changes response to Cerebrolysin. BDNF, APOE and NTRK2 variants have been associated with brain-related traits or risk in human studies. A DNA report can show which versions you carry and what that research does and does not show.
Is cerebrolysin legal?
Cerebrolysin is licensed and prescribed in Russia and parts of Europe and Asia for stroke and dementia. It is not FDA-approved in the US.
Watch
What clinicians and researchers say about Cerebrolysin
Learn more about Cerebrolysin
Your DNA and Cerebrolysin
What the research says about your variants.
The report
Which Cerebrolysin variants do you carry?
Your report reads the DNA file you already have against the published research on 31 peptides, marker by marker, and says what that research does and does not show.
Read my DNA, $99