Cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin is a mixture of peptides derived from porcine brain tissue. It contains a blend of amino acids and small peptide fragments that are designed to mimic naturally occurring neuropeptides. People use Cerebrolysin because it is believed to support cognitive function and improve mental clarity. Some also use it with the hope that it may enhance memory or help maintain healthy brain performance.

Cerebrolysin has shown several potential benefits in both animal and human studies. In rat models of brain injury, it reduced axonal damage and astrogliosis while increasing neurogenesis in the hippocampus, which correlated with better recovery of cognitive and sensorimotor function ¹. In a rat stroke model, it boosted proliferation and migration of neural progenitor cells and enhanced functional recovery via activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway ². In aged rats, long-term treatment improved memory and increased dendritic complexity in hippocampal and cortical neurons, suggesting a role in neuroplasticity ³.

In human clinical studies, Cerebrolysin has been linked to improvements in cognitive performance in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia ⁴. n a double-blind randomized trial of mild traumatic brain injury, it significantly improved long-term memory and drawing ability over 12 weeks compared to placebo ⁵. In another study of vascular cognitive impairment, treatment was associated with better attention, memory, and global cognitive status measured by neuropsychological testing and electrophysiology ⁶. Overall, Cerebrolysin appears to support neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, and cognitive recovery across a variety of neurological conditions in both animals and humans.

Cerebrolysin’s most common side effects in human clinical trials are mild and temporary, including dizziness (or vertigo), headache, nausea, and flushing or sweating. In a meta-analysis of 12 randomized controlled trials in acute ischemic stroke, there was no significant increase in serious adverse events or mortality compared to placebo ^{7, 8}. More rarely, patients have experienced agitation, confusion, tremor, and even very rare allergic reactions ⁹. Rapid intravenous infusion can cause a transient sensation of heat, sweating, dizziness, and, in isolated cases, palpitations or arrhythmias. There are also some reports suggesting that Cerebrolysin may increase seizure frequency in people with epilepsy ¹⁰.

Cerebrolysin is a mixture of small peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brain that mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors, such as NGF, BDNF, and CNTF, to activate survival-promoting signaling in neurons. In animal models of stroke, it reduces activation of calpain (a protease), inhibits apoptosis, and decreases infarct size, while also boosting neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and subventricular zone ^{11, 12}. In a transgenic Alzheimer’s mouse model, it shifts the balance from pro-NGF to mature NGF and preserves cholinergic neuron density, suggesting it helps maintain neuronal networks ¹³.

Cerebrolysin is not FDA-approved for human use in the United States and is effectively restricted to research-only status—its unlicensed distribution (including via compounding pharmacies) can carry legal risks, and some operations have faced prosecution. In the context of athletics, because it's an unapproved peptide mixture not recognized by the FDA, it falls under WADA’s S0 (non-approved substances) category, making it prohibited for performance use without clearance.