Cerebrolysin

Key points

• Cerebrolysin is a biological preparation of small peptides and amino acids, made from pig brain protein, given by drip in clinical use.
• It is licensed in some countries, mainly in parts of Eastern Europe and Asia, for stroke and dementia. It is not licensed in the UK.
• It is described as supporting nerve cell protection and repair, but the exact active contents are not well defined.
• The clinical evidence is mixed, and a major review found more serious side effects than placebo.

Quick facts

What it is

Mixture of peptides and amino acids, from pig brain protein

Used for

Stroke and dementia (licensed in some countries)

UK status

Not a licensed medicine; no UK marketing authorisation

Evidence

Mixed; a major review found more serious side effects

How it works

Cerebrolysin is described as neurotrophic, meaning it is thought to support the survival and repair of nerve cells. Because it is a mixture rather than a single molecule, the exact way it works is not fully understood. One analysis of a sample found many protein fragments but none of the known nerve growth factors, so how closely the marketing matches the contents is unclear.

What the evidence shows

The evidence is mixed. In stroke, a large independent review concluded it probably makes little or no difference to survival, while some trial based analyses report better early neurological scores. In traumatic brain injury and in dementia the results are also mixed and often low in quality. Several studies were run by groups connected to the product, which is worth bearing in mind when weighing the claims.

What it does not settle

• Whether it improves long term independence after stroke is not established.
• It is unclear whether products sold as research powders are the same material used in trials.
• Injecting it under the skin has not been tested in trials, and any effect in healthy people is unstudied.

Side effects

Common

• In most individual trials the overall rate of side effects was similar to placebo.
• As an infusion, it carries the usual risks that come with a drip.

Less common but serious

• A large independent review found a higher rate of serious, non fatal side effects than with placebo.
• Products sold online as research powders are not the trial material, and their contents are not checked by a regulator.

Report any suspected side effect through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

UK legal status and access

Cerebrolysin has no UK marketing authorisation, so it is not a licensed medicine here. Where it is licensed, it is given as a supervised drip. Powders sold online for research use are not the product used in trials, and their quality is not assured.

Common questions