User:I enjoy sandwiches/cerebrolysin

Cerebrolysin (developmental code name FPF-1070) is a mixture of peptides derived from pig brains that can include brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF).

Little is known about the clinical efficacy of cerebrolysin. Cochrane reviews suggest that it does not have benefit in the treatment of acute stroke, though some benefit has been seen with vascular dementia;  further high quality research is needed to confirm these early reviews. Early meta analyses have suggested potential benefit with traumatic brain injury It is also being clinically studied with a wide variety of neurodegenerative disorders, though research is preliminary.

Stroke
Early Cochrane reviews suggest that there is no benefit for treatment of acute ischemic stroke with cerebrolysin, though they also emphasize the need for further high quality studies. Similar studies of ischemic stroke in Asian subpopulations found an absence of benefit as well.

An early study suggested a lack of benefit with a specific kind of hemorrhagic stroke.

Dementia
Reviews suggest an improvement in cognitive function with cerebrolysin use for vascular dementia, though as with studies on stroke, further high quality research is needed.

Adverse effects
In trials studying the use of cerebrolysin after acute stroke, it was associated with an increased risk of "serious adverse events". These were specifically defined as:


 * "any untoward medical occurrence that, at any dose, resulted in death, [was] life‐threatening, required inpatient hospitalisation or resulted in prolongation of existing hospitalisation, resulted in persistent or significant disability/incapacity, [was] a congenital anomaly/birth defect, or [was] a medically important event or reaction”.

Mechanism of action
In vitro and animal studies suggest neurotrophic effects of cerebrolysin similar to endogenous neurotrophic factors, though its specific molecular pharmacodynamics are not clear. Studies of dementia suggest decreased beta-amyloid deposition.

History
The preparation was allegedly first created in 1949 by Gerhart Harrer, an Austrian professor at the University of Innsbruck.

Cerebrolysin is widely used in Russia, Eastern Europe, China, and other post-Soviet and Asian countries. It has been included on the list of Vital and Essential Medicines (ЖНВЛС) in Russia since 1992.

While it was listed as one reason that one pharmacy was prosecuted for illegal distribution, it is not a scheduled drug in the United States.

Research
Early studies have suggested benefit when administered following traumatic brain injury. It is also being studied with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and for treatment of negative symptoms of schizophrenia such as catatonia, though research is very preliminary.

Very early studies have suggested a role in the treatment of cervical myelopathy.