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Study · Observational study · n = 80 · 2025

2 results

Combined citicoline and Cerebrolysin for neuroprotection in traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Schlager P, Grgac I, Herzer G, Trimmel H

Frontiers in neurology2 Dec 2025Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID41409218 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC12705382 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.3389/fneur.2025.1684981 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41409218
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Summary

IntroductionSevere traumatic brain injury (sTBI) remains a major cause of long-term disability and mortality worldwide. Beyond the initial mechanical damage, a cascade of secondary injuries involving neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity exacerbates neural dysfunction. Neuroprotective agents such as citicoline and Cerebrolysin have shown promise in addressing these complex mechanisms and supporting recovery. This study aimed to evaluate whether a combination therapy of citicoline and Cerebrolysin improves neurological outcomes compared to citicoline monotherapy in patients suffering from sTBI.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at a single university hospital. Patients with sTBI treated between 2012 and 2021 were included. Two cohorts were matched based on a validated prognostic scoring system to ensure comparability. One group received citicoline monotherapy, while the other received a combination of citicoline and Cerebrolysin. The primary endpoint was neurological function 6 months after injury. Secondary outcomes included survival and duration of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital.ResultsEighty patients were analyzed. While there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in neurological function or mortality at 6 months, patients receiving the combination therapy showed a tendency toward better neurological outcomes. Notably, this group also exhibited more severe baseline injury profiles, which may have influenced the results.ConclusionCombined treatment with citicoline and Cerebrolysin may offer additional benefits for neurological recovery in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Although statistical significance was not reached, the observed trend supports the need for further prospective, controlled studies to explore potential therapeutic advantages.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study2

2 results from studies that gave the peptide. 2 results from people.

  1. 01HumanObservational studyEfficacy outcome

    In severe TBI, adding Cerebrolysin to citicoline showed no significant neurological benefit versus citicoline alone at 6 months.

    In plain wordsIn severe brain injury, added Cerebrolysin showed no significant neurological benefit versus citicoline alone at 6 months.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    No significant changeNeurological function at 6 months
    Study

    n = 80

    Comparator
    Citicoline monotherapy
    Analysis
    Primary
    Outcome group
    Neuroprotection · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    While there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in neurological function or mortality at 6 months, patients receiving the combination therapy showed a tendency toward better neurological outcomes.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at a single university hospital.
    Summary · context
    One group received citicoline monotherapy, while the other received a combination of citicoline and Cerebrolysin.
  2. 02HumanObservational studySafety outcome

    In severe TBI, mortality did not differ significantly between Cerebrolysin plus citicoline and citicoline alone at 6 months.

    In plain wordsIn severe brain injury, mortality did not differ significantly between Cerebrolysin plus citicoline and citicoline alone at 6 months.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    No significant changeMortality at 6 months
    Study

    n = 80

    Comparator
    Citicoline monotherapy
    Analysis
    Secondary
    Outcome group
    Mortality · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    While there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in neurological function or mortality at 6 months, patients receiving the combination therapy showed a tendency toward better neurological outcomes.
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted at a single university hospital.
    Summary · context
    One group received citicoline monotherapy, while the other received a combination of citicoline and Cerebrolysin.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    14 Oct 2026, 05:02 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    14 Oct 2026, 01:46 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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