What is Cerebrolysin?
It is a non-lipid mixture of free L-amino acids (purified via enzymatic proteolysis from brains of young pigs) and neuropeptides of low molecular weight.
L-amino acids represent 80% of Cerebrolysin while the remaining 20% consists of neuropeptides such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), and nerve growth factor (NGF). Cerebrolysin contains more than 100 oligopeptides.
Cerebrolysin has all the amino acids which compose the central nervous system. It also contains magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and selenium.
What Does Cerebrolysin Do?
The main effects are: increased synaptic regeneration, enhanced neurogenesis, decreased apoptosis, increased dendritic spine density and dendritic length as well as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Pharmacology:
- Protects from pathological events stemming from injury /neurodegenerative disease
- Reduces amounts of free radicals as well as pro-apoptotic enzymes
- Modulates inflammatory response
- Helps neuro-plasticity and neurogenesis
- Increases synaptic regeneration, neuron survival, neuron growth
- Increases dendritic spine density and dendritic length
- Has anti-inflammatory effects
Health Benefits of Cerebrolysin
Growth factors have anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects. SSRI’s take months to work, and they may owe their effects to neurogenesis rather than Serotonin reuptake inhibition.
Cerebrolysin and Dementia
In 2012, a meta-analysis found that Cerebrolysin improves the symptoms of dementia with benefits lasting up to several months after treatment ceased. There is interest in using it in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors to achieve a synergistic effect.
Cerebrolysin dramatically improves cognitive function in Alzheimer’s disease and the effects of administering the peptide for 12 weeks persists for three months.
Cerebrolysin and Parkinson’s Disease
Cerebrolysin decreases amyloid-beta production by regulating one of its precursors.
One of the primary roles of GDNF is the protection of dopamine producing neurons.
Protocols
| DISORDER | DAILY DOSAGE | DURATION OF TREATMENT |
|---|---|---|
| Stroke | 20 – 50 ml | 10 – 21 days |
| Traumatic brain injury | 20 – 50 ml | 7-30 days |
| Vascular dementia | 10 – 30 ml | 1 cycle: 5 days weekly/4 weeks 2-4 cycles per year |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 10 – 30 ml | 1 cycle: 5 days weekly/4 weeks 2-4 cycles per ear |
If you are suffering from symptoms of Cerebrolysin contact the office of Dr. Rachel West to schedule your consultation today.