Cerebrolysin
Limited human dataAlso known as: FPF 1070 · porcine-brain-derived peptide preparation
A mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from purified porcine brain proteins, approved in several countries for stroke and traumatic brain injury recovery. Distinct from single-sequence research peptides—it's a multi-component biological preparation.
Mechanism (plain language)
Proposed to act through multiple neurotrophic and neuroprotective pathways simultaneously (rather than one receptor), since it contains a mixture of naturally occurring peptide fragments rather than a single defined active compound.
What research suggests
Multiple randomized, placebo-controlled multicenter trials (including the CARS trial in stroke) report improved motor and global-outcome scores versus placebo, and meta-analyses in traumatic brain injury report favorable effects on functional outcome scales.
Uncertainties & risks
Trial quality and effect sizes are heterogeneous across studies, with some meta-analyses flagging high statistical heterogeneity and calling for larger confirmatory trials. As a mixture rather than a single peptide, exact active-component attribution is unresolved. Not approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
Primary sources
Secondary citations for verification. Prefer the STACKD summary above for context before opening these.
- Cerebrolysin and Recovery After Stroke (CARS): A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Multicenter Trial
2016 · human
Improved upper-extremity motor function and global outcome at day 90 versus placebo in early post-stroke rehabilitation.
- Efficacy and safety of Cerebrolysin treatment in early recovery after acute ischemic stroke
2017 · human
Randomized multicenter trial reported significantly better NIH Stroke Scale outcomes versus placebo at day 30.