Cerebrolysin in post-TBI recovery: Pharmacology and clinical evidence

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects millions of individuals globally on an annual basis, with present therapeutic approaches primarily concentrating on the management of symptoms and the prevention of secondary injuries. Affected individuals frequently encounter enduring cognitive and functional deficits, which substantially diminish their overall quality of life. Nonetheless, in spite of progress made in acute medical care, efficacious treatments aimed at facilitating neurorecovery and enhancing long-term outcomes remain limited. Consequently, researchers are investigating innovative therapeutic interventions, with cerebrolysin emerging as a notable candidate. This neuropeptide formulation has exhibited neuroprotective and neurorestorative capabilities in preclinical investigations, fostering neuroplasticity, augmenting neurogenesis, and mitigating neuronal injury in TBI models. Furthermore, clinical trials have revealed potential advantages for human patients. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms of action of cerebrolysin and its prospective function in TBI recovery, scrutinizing preclinical evidence pertaining to its neuroprotective effects and facilitation of brain repair. Additionally, we assess clinical findings from randomized controlled trials, which indicate enhancements in motor skills, cognitive abilities, and overall functional outcomes among TBI patients administered cerebrolysin. While preliminary results are promising, we examine existing evidence deficiencies and domains necessitating additional inquiry, encompassing the identification of patient subpopulations that are most likely to derive benefit, the optimization of dosage protocols, and the execution of more extensive, multi-center clinical trials. This thorough analysis aspires to clarify the potential of cerebrolysin as a therapeutic modality and to inform subsequent research endeavors in this vital domain.