Dementia is the result of various cerebral disorders, leading to an acquired loss of memory and impaired cognitive ability. The most common forms are
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and
vascular dementia (VaD).
Neurotrophic factors are essential for the survival and differentiation of developing neurons and protecting them against damage under pathologic conditions.
Cerebrolysin is a
peptide preparation that mimics the pleiotropic effects of
neurotrophic factors. Several clinical trials investigating the therapeutic efficacy of
Cerebrolysin in AD and VaD have confirmed the proof of concept. The results of these trials have shown statistically significant and clinically relevant treatment effects of
Cerebrolysin on cognitive, global and functional domains in mild to moderately severe stages of
dementia. Doses of 10 and 30 mL were the most effective, but higher doses of up to 60 mL turned out to be most effective in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms, which become relevant at later stages of the disease. Combining treatment with
cholinesterase inhibitors and
Cerebrolysin indicated long-term synergistic treatment effects in mild to moderate AD. The efficacy of
Cerebrolysin persisted for up to several months
after treatment suggesting
Cerebrolysin has not merely symptomatic benefits, but a disease-delaying potential. This paper reviews the clinical efficacy of
Cerebrolysin in the treatment of
dementia. Data were obtained from international, multicenter, randomized clinical trials performed in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) and subsequent revisions.