Cerebrolysin is a low molecular weight, porcine-derived peptide preparation with free amino acids that have a variety of clinical applications due its neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties. The preparation includes active peptide fragments including nerve growth factor, BDNF, Ciliary Nerve Growth Factor, P-21, enkephalins and orexin.

Cerebrolysin has pharmacodynamic neurotrophic and neuroprotective activity that mimics endogenous neurotrophic factors. Neurotrophic factors are molecules that are responsible for growing, maintaining, and repairing neurons. They also have neuroprotective properties which strengthen neural pathways and the integrity of the neurons themselves. They are also responsible for promoting synaptic plasticity, which is a way the brain strengthens certain neural pathways.

In situations where the brain needs to utilize neurotrophic factors to repair damaged neurons, such as in the case of neurological disease, Cerebrolysin can be administered to act as an analogue to endogenous neurotrophic factors. Studies have shown that the use of Cerebrolysin as treatment of neurodegenerative disease has often proved effective as a means of symptomatic treatment as well as pathological suppression in both the short and long term.

Additionally, due to its neuroprotective properties, according to research, Cerebrolysin has been shown to have preventative potential for individuals who have genetic predisposition to developing Alzheimer’s disease.