Cortexin
Cortexin (polypeptide brain preparation)
A mixture of low-molecular-weight brain peptides used in Russia for stroke, brain injury, and cognitive disorders.
Overview
Cortexin is a preparation of low-molecular-weight peptides extracted from the cerebral cortex of cattle, used clinically in Russia and nearby countries for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, and cognitive disorders in adults and children. It is described as neurotrophic and neuroprotective. Independent Western trials are limited, and it is not FDA-approved.
Mechanism of action
Provides a mix of neuropeptides proposed to support neurotrophic signaling and neuroprotection in the brain.
Key studies & citations
- Animal2021
Neuroprotective action of Cortexin, Cerebrolysin and Actovegin in acute or chronic brain ischemia in rats
First head-to-head rodent comparison; Cortexin showed neuroprotective activity in acute and chronic ischemia models.
PLoS One - Human2016
Efficacy of cortexin in acute and recovery periods of hemispheric ischemic stroke
Russian clinical study of repeated low-dose Cortexin courses in stroke; not independently replicated outside Russia.
Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova - Review2015
Cortexin. Molecular mechanisms and targets of neuroprotective activity
Review describing Cortexin as a lyophilized cortical extract of neuropeptides, amino acids and trace elements with proposed neurotrophic targets.
Zhurnal Nevrologii i Psikhiatrii imeni S.S. Korsakova
Frequently asked questions
Is Cortexin approved outside Russia?
No. It is used clinically in Russia and some neighboring countries but is not FDA-approved, and independent evidence is limited.