Cerebrolysin vs SS-31 (Elamipretide)
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Cognitive EnhancementAnti-Aging & Longevity
CerebrolysinAnti-Aging & Longevity
SS-31 (Elamipretide)- 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.
- SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a synthetic mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and protects cardiolipin from oxidative damage. It is one of the most promising mitochondrial longevity compounds, studied in clinical trials for heart failure, renal disease, and age-associated mitochondrial dysfunction.
- Half-Life
- Variable for the complex; individual peptide fractions: minutes to hours
- ~2–5 hours
- Admin Route
- IV, IM
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 5–10 mL
- 5–10 mg
- Frequency
- Daily for 10–20 days
- Daily to several times per week
- 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
- Restores mitochondrial function and ATP production
- Protects inner mitochondrial membrane cardiolipin
- Reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS)
- Improves exercise capacity and reduces fatigue
- Cardioprotective — studied in heart failure trials
- Renoprotective — reduces ischemic kidney injury
- Anti-aging via mitochondrial preservation
- Potential in neurodegenerative disease prevention
- Side Effects
- Generally well tolerated
- Mild nausea and dizziness (IV infusion)
- Headache at initiation
- Rare: agitation (usually at very high doses)
- +2 more
- Injection site irritation
- Nausea (rare)
- Generally well-tolerated in clinical trials
- Stacks With
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