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Tools›Compare›Cerebrolysin vs Cortagen

Cerebrolysin vs Cortagen

Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.

Cognitive EnhancementAnti-Aging & Longevity
Cerebrolysin
Anti-Aging & LongevityRecovery & Repair
Cortagen
Summary
Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived neuropeptide complex that mimics the action of endogenous neurotrophic factors (BDNF, NGF, GDNF, NT-3). It promotes neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity, and is approved in many countries for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease.
Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) developed at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation as a cardioprotective and vascular bioregulator. It stimulates repair of cardiac and vascular tissue, with demonstrated benefits for coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, and cardiac aging.
Half-Life
Variable for the complex; individual peptide fractions: minutes to hours
Short peptide half-life; gene regulatory effects persist beyond peptide clearance
Admin Route
IV, IM
SubQ, IM, Oral
Research
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Typical Dose
5–10 mL
10 mg SC or IM daily
Frequency
Daily for 10–20 days
Once daily
Key Benefits
  • Promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity
  • Approved for stroke rehabilitation (accelerates recovery)
  • Alzheimer's disease: slows progression and improves cognition
  • Traumatic brain injury recovery
  • Enhances memory and executive function
  • Neuroprotection against oxidative stress and excitotoxicity
  • Anti-amyloid and anti-tau effects
  • Mood improvement and reduced anxiety
  • Cardioprotective — protects cardiac tissue from ischemic damage
  • Promotes cardiac regeneration and repair
  • Improves vascular endothelium function
  • Reduces atherosclerosis progression
  • Anti-aging effect on heart muscle cells
  • Improves cardiac output and exercise capacity
  • Reduces oxidative stress in cardiovascular tissue
  • May reduce arrhythmia frequency
Side Effects
  • Generally well tolerated
  • Mild nausea and dizziness (IV infusion)
  • Headache at initiation
  • Rare: agitation (usually at very high doses)
  • +2 more
  • Excellent safety profile
  • Mild injection site reactions
  • Rare: transient hypotension
  • Rare: mild arrhythmia at initiation in cardiac patients
Stacks With
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