CEREBROLYSIN
Porcine brain-derived peptide mixture used as a neuroprotective and nootropic agent in stroke and dementia, primarily in Eastern Europe and Asia.
Cochrane reviews of Cerebrolysin for acute ischaemic stroke (7 RCTs, 1773 participants) found moderate-certainty evidence that it probably has no beneficial effect on all-cause death and no effect on total serious adverse events, but noted a potential increase in non-fatal serious adverse events, particularly at the 30 mL/day for 10 days dosing schedule. For vascular dementia, a Cochrane review (6 RCTs, 597 participants) found very low-quality evidence suggesting modest improvements in cognitive and global function, but studies had high risk of bias and heterogeneity. Many trials were industry-supported, and no studies reported quality of life or caregiver burden. Overall, the evidence base is weak and insufficient to confirm clinically meaningful benefit.