Cerebrolysin is actually a mixture containing low-molecular weight peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brains. This combination proved especially effective in research studies involving ischemic stroke and nerve damage, while still preserving a safety profile as it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier in sufficient concentrations.

This peptide mix also reduces the number of procoagulant, prothrombotic and proinflammatory mediators. It contains:

BDNF – brain-derived neurotrophic factor
GDNF – glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor
CNTF – ciliary neurotrophic factor and
NGF – nerve growth factor

These factors showed potential in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia, neurotropic activity and acute stroke settings.

As already mentioned, these effects have been recorded in in vitro and animal studies; we have yet to see definitive human studies.

Cerebrolysin Effectiveness

Cerebrolysin studies showed positive outcomes in patients following an ischemic stroke in both acute stage and recovery phase. This is why some of the recent studies focused on rehabilitation and complete motor recovery.

Another study set out to determine the effects of Cerebrolysin therapy in minimizing the neurological and behavioral impairment following an ischemic stroke. The study was conducted as a 10-day treatment and showed the effectiveness of this peptide mix, especially in mild cases.

Dementia

We had some studies in human patients suffering from dementia, where Cerebrolysin therapy was administered over the course of 12 weeks. The results showed improvements in the most severe symptoms of dementia, which persisted for over three months (once the study was finished). Sadly, this study was done way back in 2012 and we have yet to see more recent ones, to identify the full extent of Cerebrolysin therapy and safety in administering it in humans.

Animal studies, in mice, showed that the hallmark of dementia is the loss of dendritic connections. Since these connections are lost, the neurons lose the ability to communicate with one another and eventually die. What these studies have shown is that Cerebrolysin therapy improves these connections and slows down the degeneration of neurons.

Parkinson’s Disease

We already mentioned Cerebrolysin’s role in preserving GDNF, but what is its significance? The primary role of GDNF is the protection of dopamine producing neurons. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the loss of these neurons.

Clinical studies in animal patients showed that Cerebrolysin protects these dopamine producing neurons, slowing down the onset of Parkinson’s, as well as lowering certain hormones which make the disease worse.

Non-Specific Brain Injuries

This was a specific study conducted on infants with problems in brain communication delay caused by various brain injuries. The administration of Cerebrolysin showed dramatic improvements in these neural communications; granted, this therapy was combined with speech and other forms of therapy.

This study showed us the effectiveness of Cerebrolysin in, not only acute brain conditions (such as a stroke), but in encouraging new neuron development, its growth and connection potential.

There was also a study in adults, which showed the potential of this peptide in improving cognitive functions, motor control, and long-term memory, following a non-specific brain injury.