Cerebrolysin is a neuroprotective blend of peptides and amino acids that promotes brain repair, reduces inflammation, and enhances memory and learning. It is used to treat neurodegenerative diseases, brain injuries, and cognitive disorders by supporting neuronal growth and reducing harmful plaques and proteins. Cerebrolysin is a low molecular weight neuropeptide blend derived from porcine brain tissue, composed of BDNF, GDNF, NGF, CNTF, and IGF-1 fragments. It mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors, promoting neuroprotection, neuronal repair, synaptic plasticity, and brain metabolism. It functions primarily to stimulate protein synthesis and neuron growth. Its ability to reduce beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein accumulation has made it a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke. Cerebrolysin can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Cerebrolysin
Overview
Benefits
- Improves memory and learning
- Increases synaptic plasticity
- Reduces neuroinflammation
- Protects neurons
- Treats brain conditions
- Decreases harmful proteins
- Improves mood
Consider This Peptide If You Want To
- Support brain health and cognitive function for neuroprotection, memory enhancement, or recovery from brain injuries
- Promote nerve regeneration and repair for conditions like stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, or TBI
Dosage & Administration
Dosage Guidelines
Recommended Dosage
• Amount:2.5 mL
• Frequency:alternate
• Duration:2 weeks
• Rest Period:12 weeks
• Time of Day:evening
• Ingestion:subcutaneous
Administration Routes:IntramuscularSubcutaneousIntravenous
Research Findings on Dosage:
1. Intramuscular (IM) or Subcutaneous (SQ):
◦ Commonly Reported Dosage: 215 mg (1 mL) daily for 4 weeks OR 5-10 mL daily for 10-20 days
2. Alternative Dosing Protocols (IV Only):
◦ Stroke:
i. Commonly Reported Dosage: 20-50 mL
ii. Duration: 10-21 days
◦ TBI:
i. Commonly Reported Dosage: 20-50 mL
ii. Duration: 7-30 days
◦ Vascular dementia:
i. Commonly Reported Dosage: 10-30 mL
ii. Duration: 1 cycle: 5 days per week for 4 weeks, 2-4 cycles per year
◦ Alzheimer's Disease:
i. Commonly Reported Dosage: 10-30 mL
ii. Duration: 1 cycle: 5 days per week for 4 weeks, 2-4 cycles per year
3. Mixing Instructions:
◦ Typically supplied in pre-filled ampoules for single use. No reconstitution needed.
◦ Use a filtered needle to draw from glass ampoules to prevent contamination.
NOTES:
• Recommended to start with a lower dose (0.5 mL) to assess individual sensitivity to compound. It is important to research Cerebrolysin under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
Mechanism of Action
Mechanism of Action
How this peptide works in the body
Neurotrophic Activity (Mimicking Growth Factors):
Cerebrolysin mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), supporting neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity, and axonal regeneration. These factors stimulate protein synthesis, enhance neurotransmitter function, and promote myelin repair, making Cerebrolysin beneficial for neurodegenerative diseases and cognitive decline.
Neuroprotection (Shielding the Brain from Damage):
Cerebrolysin prevents excitotoxicity by modulating NMDA receptor activation, reducing neuronal calcium overload and oxidative stress. It upregulates Bcl-2 proteins to inhibit apoptosis while downregulating caspase activity, preventing excessive neuron loss. Additionally, it reduces neuroinflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and modulating microglial activity, protecting against chronic neurodegenerative damage.
Enhancing Synaptic Plasticity & Cognitive Function:
Cerebrolysin increases dendritic spine density, strengthening synaptic connections and enhancing long-term potentiation (LTP), which improves learning and memory retention. It modulates dopamine (focus and motivation), acetylcholine (memory and attention), and glutamate/GABA balance (excitatory/inhibitory signaling), optimizing cognitive performance and mood stability.
Neurogenesis & Brain Repair:
By stimulating neural stem cell differentiation, Cerebrolysin promotes new neuron formation and supports axon growth and myelination, improving processing speed and brain network integrity. These effects contribute to recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, and neurodegenerative conditions.
Enhancing Brain Metabolism & Energy Production:
Cerebrolysin optimizes glucose and oxygen utilization in neurons, ensuring efficient ATP production even in hypoxic conditions such as stroke. By reducing mitochondrial oxidative damage, it prevents energy deficits that contribute to cognitive dysfunction and neurodegeneration.
Consider Stacking With
- Any GHRP (Ipamorelin, Hexarelin)
- Any GHRH (CJC-1295, MOD-GRF-129, Tesamorelin)
- BPC-157
- TB-4
- NAC
- Alpha-GPC
- Citicoline
Side Effects & Cautions
Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Sweating
- Injection site reactions
Research & References
Research Highlights
Neuroprotection in Stroke (2023): Reduced brain inflammation and improved recovery post-stroke in preclinical studies.
Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's (2021): Significant reduction in beta-amyloid plaques and tau phosphorylation.
Behavioral Improvements in Autism (2020): Improved social behavior and reduced repetitive actions in animal models.
TBI Recovery (2019): Enhanced neuronal regeneration and synaptic density after brain injuries.
Mood and Anxiety Regulation (2017): Demonstrated anti-anxiety and memory-enhancing effects in rodent models.
References
"Neuroprotective Role of Cerebrolysin in TBI Recovery" – PubMed Link
"Efficacy in Alzheimer's Disease Therapy" – PubMed Link
"Behavioral Effects in Autism Models" – PubMed Link
"Clinical Safety of Cerebrolysin" – Semantics Scholar Link