Cerebrolysin is a standardized mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brain tissue.
Mechanism — Mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, NGF, CNTF). Crosses the blood-brain barrier. Promotes neuronal survival, synaptogenesis, and neuroplasticity. Anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory in CNS.
Use case — Ischemic stroke recovery (best evidence), traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer's adjunct. Course is typically 10-20 daily IM injections, repeated 2-4x/year.
Caveats — Schedule 4 prescription drug in many countries; not FDA-approved. Sourcing requires care. Animal-derived; not for vegetarians or those with specific allergies.