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Cerebrolysin is a peptide-based drug made with protein derived from the brains of swine. It has been shown, in multiple studies, to support the survival, stability, and function of neurons.
The drug is thought to decrease amyloid production in the brain. Beta amyloid protein is thought to be an important factor in the progression and onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, Cerebrolysin promotes synaptic repair, and improves cognitive and behavioral performance. It has been used in Europe in the treatment of vascular dementia, stroke and other neurodegenerative diseases. It is currently being studied in clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.




- May decrease beta amyloid in the brain
- Promotes neuron health & plasticity
- May improve short-term memory
Cerebrolysin Drug Information
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Although Cerebrolysin has not yet been approved for use within the US, clinical trials are ongoing for the treatment of various neurodegenerative diseases.
The drug has a low incidence of side effects when taken at the recommended dosage, though long-term effects have not been studied.
The drug has caught the attention of those in the nootropic community because of its neuroprotective and neurotrophic capacities. Unfortunately, to be effective, the drug must be administered via either intramuscular or intravenous injection. This continues to be a substantial drawback to its potential for widespread nootropic use, at present.
Cerebrolysin is believed to help neurons in the brain to better communicate with each other. Concurrently, this neuropeptide works as both a neuroprotective (prevents cell death) and a neurotrophic (inducing nerve cell development and function) agent. Once Cerebrolysin crosses the blood-brain barrier and enters your brain it begins to stimulate the growth of new neurons.
It also appears to help support and maintain the neurotransmitters serotonin, Choline (an acetylcholine precursor) and noradrenalin.
Current studies on patients with Alzheimer’s disease suggest Cerebrolysin may be a potent therapeutic agent in the fight to slow the progression of the disease. It does this by slowing the formation of amyloid plaque in the patient’s brain. Beta amyloid plaque has been strongly correlated with the occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitive impairment, particularly with regards to short-term memory, occurs when amyloid plaque accumulates in brain tissue. Cerebrolysin has been observed to decrease levels of amyloid plaque in studies of patients with Alzheimer’s.
Potential Nootropic Benefits
Though Cerebrolysin has not been studied in healthy individuals, it appears to have a high potential as a potent nootropic agent because of its ability to affect neurogenesis (birth new neurons) in the user’s brain. There is some evidence that hippocampal adult neurogenesis is important for both learning and memory.
Maintaining and increasing our neuroplasticity is important to assure healthy brain function as we age, particularly in the area of the hippocampus where memory encoding occurs.
In studies on patients with dementia, subjects showed distinct improvement in the areas of mathematical skills and short-term memory recall. This would suggest that healthy individuals could improve their memory ability and capacity for learning, though the degree to which a healthy individual might benefit remains unknown at this time.
Side Effects and Drawbacks
Cerebrolysin appears to be safe and effective with low incidence of negative or dangerous side effects. Adverse effects are rare and usually, if they do occur, are of the low-grade variety.
Some side effects which have been experienced include diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting, aggressive behavior, confusion, insomnia, seizures, convulsions, fatigue, elevated or lowered blood pressure, tremor, depression, respiratory tract infection, cough, dizziness, headache, headache, pain in the neck, legs or back. Allergic reactions include shortness of breath, chills and a burning or itching at the site of injection.
Those taking MAOIs, seizure medication or who have a seizure disorder should not take Cerebrolysin. Pregnant or lactating women should not take this drug. It is recommended this drug be taken under the supervision of a qualified medical professional who can monitor for adverse affects.
Summary
Cerebrolysin is a potentially useful nootropic agent with very low incidence of serious side effects. At this time, the main drawbacks seem to be the need to inject the drug, as well as the lack of any meaningful studies on long-term effects of the drug for healthy individuals.
The growing body of research indicates the Cerebrolysin drug may be especially useful as a neuroprotectant and cognitive enhancer in both healthy and diseased individuals. As more information on Cerebrolysin becomes available and usage rate increases, development of effective doses administered either orally or nasally may ensue.
- Muresanu DF, Ciurea AV, Gorgan RM, Gheorghita E, Florian SI, Stan H, Blaga A, Ianovici N, Iencean SM, Turliuc D, Davidescu HB, Mihalache C, Brehar FM, Mihaescu AS, Mardare DC, Anghelescu A, Chiparus C, Lapadat M, Pruna V, Mohan D, Costea C, Costea D, et al. A retrospective, multi-center cohort study evaluating the severity- related effects of cerebrolysin treatment on clinical outcomes in traumatic brain injury. CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets. 2015
- Amiri-Nikpour MR, Nazarbaghi S, Ahmadi-Salmasi B, Mokari T, Tahamtan U, Rezaei Y. Cerebrolysin effects on neurological outcomes and cerebral blood flow in acute ischemic stroke. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014
- Heiss WD, Brainin M, Bornstein NM, Tuomilehto J, Hong Z; Cerebrolysin Acute Stroke Treatment in Asia (CASTA) Investigators. Cerebrolysin in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Asia: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Stroke. 2012
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Is cerebrolysin safe for people who are being treated with levodopa?