IMPORTANT: Read the Prep & Injection Guide for proper reconstitution, syringe sizing, and injection protocols. Mistakes here can compromise your research.
Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids derived from purified porcine brain proteins. It contains multiple peptide fragments that mimic the action of endogenous neurotrophic factors including BDNF, NGF, CNTF, and GDNF. Cerebrolysin is widely used in European and Asian clinical practice for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia. It is studied for neuroregeneration, cognitive enhancement, and neuroprotection.
Reconstitute: Add 3.0 mL bacteriostatic water → 20 mg/mL concentration.
Typical daily range: 20–32 mg once daily (gradual titration); split doses for >20 mg.
Easy measuring: At 20 mg/mL, 1 unit = 0.01 mL = 200 mcg (0.2 mg) on a U-100 insulin syringe.
Storage: Lyophilized at room temperature ≤25 °C; reconstituted: refrigerate at 2–8 °C, use within 7 days, do not freeze.
Schedule: Daily subcutaneous injections for 8–12 weeks.
Cycle Length: 8–12 weeks; optional extension to 16 weeks.
Goal: Support neuroprotection and neuronal survival through neurotrophic factor mimicry.
Frequency: Inject once or twice daily subcutaneously. Doses exceeding 100 units (1.0 mL) should be split into AM and PM administrations.
| Phase | Dose | Syringe (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 20 mg (20,000 mcg) | 100 units (1.0 mL) × 1 |
| Week 2 | 24 mg (24,000 mcg) | 60 units (0.6 mL) AM + 60 units (0.6 mL) PM |
| Week 3 | 28 mg | 70 units (0.7 mL) AM + 70 units (0.7 mL) PM |
| Week 4+ | 32 mg | 80 units (0.8 mL) AM + 80 units (0.8 mL) PM |
- Promotes neurogenesis and neuroplasticity
- Neuroprotective — reduces neuronal apoptosis after injury
- Improves cognitive function, memory, and attention
- Studied for stroke recovery — improves neurological outcomes
- Reduces amyloid-beta plaque formation (Alzheimer’s research)
- Supports axonal sprouting and synaptic plasticity
- Anti-inflammatory effects in the CNS
- Studied for TBI recovery — reduces secondary injury cascade
- May improve motor function after neurological injury
- Mimics multiple endogenous neurotrophic factors simultaneously
Cerebrolysin contains over 25 identified neuropeptide fragments that act as neurotrophic factor mimetics. These fragments activate TrkB receptors (BDNF pathway), TrkA receptors (NGF pathway), and other neurotrophic receptor systems, stimulating neuronal survival, differentiation, and synaptic strengthening. It also inhibits calpain and caspase-mediated apoptosis, reduces excitotoxicity (NMDA receptor modulation), and stimulates neural stem cell proliferation in the hippocampus. The multi-target action distinguishes it from single-pathway neurotrophic agents.
- Hyperthermia or feeling of warmth during infusion
- Dizziness or headache
- Nausea during IV administration
- Injection site reactions with IM use
- Agitation or insomnia (stimulating effect in some users)
- Seizure risk with very high doses (rare)
- Allergic reactions (rare — porcine-derived product)
IV infusion should be diluted (typically in 100–250 mL saline) and administered slowly over 15–60 minutes. IM injection of smaller volumes is well-tolerated. Avoid administration late in the day if insomnia is a concern. Monitor for allergic reactions, especially on first use. Contraindicated in patients with pork allergies.
- Pork/porcine protein allergy
- Active epilepsy (may lower seizure threshold)
- Renal failure (significant)
- Pregnancy and lactation
- Acute psychosis
- Alvarez XA et al. (2011). Cerebrolysin protects against beta-amyloid neurotoxicity in an Alzheimer’s disease model. Journal of Neural Transmission. DOI: 10.1007/s40263-013-0132-5
- Ladurner G et al. (1994). A double blind trial of cerebrolysin versus placebo in ischaemic stroke. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. DOI: 10.1002/ana.410360115
- Muresanu DF et al. (2016). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with cerebrolysin in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.04.022
Research Use Only. All information is for educational purposes. Not medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making health decisions.
Research Use Only. All information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. PepSherpa does not sell peptides. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before making any health decisions. Many of the studies cited are preclinical (animal/in-vitro).