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Study · Systematic review · n = 501 · 2026

3 results

Efficacy and Safety of Cerebrolysin as an Adjunct to Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Afridi A, Sajjad F, Arshad A, Shahid I, Fatima NE, Alam U, Hoti RK, Abdullah M, Khan S, GhanimAl-Badri S, Khan S, Bakkar MA and 4 more

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Saeed A, Ali A, Khan LA, Kamil KA

Brain and behavior1 Mar 2026Cited by 1 (Europe PMC)

PMID41880098 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC13045362 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1002/brb3.71252 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-41880098
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Summary

BackgroundOne of the primary causes of morbidity and death is still acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) yields better results, problems such as partial functional recovery persist. By lessening secondary damage and encouraging recovery, the neuroprotective drug, cerebrolysin, may improve the effectiveness of MT. Its safety and efficacy as an adjunct to MT are assessed in this study.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched using relevant keywords from inception until June 2025. A total of three studies were included after final screening. Outcomes were reported as symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage, adverse effects, mortality, etc. Interstudy heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and χ2 statistics (I2 > 50% = significant heterogeneity). Statistical calculations were performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark), with a p-value of < 0.05 indicating statistical significance.ResultsBy combining data from three studies, this meta-analysis assessed the safety and effectiveness of cerebrolysin as a supplement to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute stroke. This meta-analysis pooled data from three observational studies involving a total of 294 patients; 148 were treated with Cerebrolysin in combination with mechanical thrombectomy (Cerebrolysin + MT group), and 146 were treated with mechanical thrombectomy alone (MT group).With a very slight heterogeneity (I2 = 2%), Cerebrolysin significantly increased the primary outcome, Good Functional Outcome (mRS 0-3). Among 71 patients in the Cerebrolysin + MT group and 163 in the MT-alone group, a good functional outcome was achieved in 61 versus 110 patients, respectively (RR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.25-1.93, p < 0.0001). There were sustained protective tendencies and a significant decrease in the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) (RR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.48, p = 0.03). sICH occurred in 4 of 148 patients in the Cerebrolysin group versus 9 of 148 in the control group. Benefits persisted at 1 and 12 months, with mortality being 64% lower in the Cerebrolysin group (RR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18-0.68, p = 0.02). Mortality was reported in 13 of 246 patients in the Cerebrolysin group versus 41 of 255 in the control group. Across outcomes, there was little heterogeneity. These results indicate cerebrolysin's potential as an adjuvant treatment for stroke management by indicating that it dramatically improves functional recovery, lowers sICH, and decreases mortality post-MT.ConclusionCerebrolysin shows promise as a useful neuroprotective treatment in stroke care by dramatically improving functional recovery, reducing symptomatic intracranial bleeding, and lowering mortality in acute ischemic stroke patients when used in conjunction with mechanical thrombectomy. Nonetheless, these conclusions are derived from only three observational studies with small sample sizes, which limits the robustness and generalizability of the findings. Further large-scale randomized trials are warranted to confirm these effects.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

3 results from studies that gave the peptide. 3 results from people.

  1. 01HumanSystematic reviewEfficacy outcome

    In pooled observational stroke studies, adjunctive Cerebrolysin was linked to more good functional outcomes than mechanical thrombectomy alone.

    In plain wordsIn pooled stroke studies, Cerebrolysin with thrombectomy was linked to more good functional outcomes than thrombectomy alone.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    IncreaseGood functional outcome mRS 0-3
    Study

    n = 234

    Comparator
    mechanical thrombectomy alone
    Analysis
    Primary
    Outcome group
    Exercise and physical function · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Risk ratio
    1.56
    reported result
    95% CI
    1.25 to 1.93
    reported result
    Good outcomes
    61 patients
    Cerebrolysin
    Good outcomes
    110 patients
    MT alone
    p value for good functional outcome
    < 0.0001
    Cerebrolysin + MT versus MT alone, good functional outcome mRS 0-3
    Analysed patients for good functional outcome
    71 patients
    Cerebrolysin + MT group
    Analysed patients for good functional outcome
    163 patients
    MT-alone group
    I-squared heterogeneity for good functional outcome
    2%
    pooled good functional outcome mRS 0-3

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Among 71 patients in the Cerebrolysin + MT group and 163 in the MT-alone group, a good functional outcome was achieved in 61 versus 110 patients, respectively (RR: 1.56, 95% CI: 1.25-1.93, p < 0.0001).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    With a very slight heterogeneity (I2 = 2%), Cerebrolysin significantly increased the primary outcome, Good Functional Outcome (mRS 0-3).
    Summary · context
    By combining data from three studies, this meta-analysis assessed the safety and effectiveness of cerebrolysin as a supplement to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute stroke.
  2. 02HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In pooled observational stroke studies, adjunctive Cerebrolysin was linked to lower mortality than mechanical thrombectomy alone.

    In plain wordsIn pooled stroke studies, Cerebrolysin with thrombectomy was linked to fewer deaths than thrombectomy alone.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseMortality
    Study

    n = 501

    Comparator
    mechanical thrombectomy alone
    Outcome group
    Mortality · Whole body
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Risk ratio
    0.36
    reported result
    95% CI
    0.18 to 0.68
    reported result
    Deaths
    13 patients
    Cerebrolysin
    Deaths
    41 patients
    MT alone
    p value for mortality
    0.02
    Cerebrolysin versus control group, pooled mortality
    Mortality reduction
    64%
    Cerebrolysin group versus control group, benefits at 1 and 12 months
    Analysed patients for mortality
    246 patients
    Cerebrolysin group
    Analysed patients for mortality
    255 patients
    control group

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Benefits persisted at 1 and 12 months, with mortality being 64% lower in the Cerebrolysin group (RR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.18-0.68, p = 0.02).
    2 context sentences
    Summary · context
    Mortality was reported in 13 of 246 patients in the Cerebrolysin group versus 41 of 255 in the control group.
    Summary · context
    By combining data from three studies, this meta-analysis assessed the safety and effectiveness of cerebrolysin as a supplement to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute stroke.
  3. 03HumanSystematic reviewSafety outcome

    In pooled observational stroke studies, adjunctive Cerebrolysin was linked to less symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage than mechanical thrombectomy alone.

    In plain wordsIn pooled stroke studies, Cerebrolysin with thrombectomy was linked to less symptomatic brain bleeding than thrombectomy alone.

    Peptide
    Cerebrolysin
    Outcome
    DecreaseSymptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
    Study

    n = 296

    Comparator
    mechanical thrombectomy alone
    Outcome group
    Adverse events · Nervous system and cognition
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Measurements

    Risk ratio
    0.12
    reported result
    95% CI
    0.03 to 0.48
    reported result
    Hemorrhage events
    4 patients
    Cerebrolysin
    Hemorrhage events
    9 patients
    MT alone
    p value for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
    0.03
    Cerebrolysin versus control group, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
    Analysed patients for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
    148 patients
    Cerebrolysin group
    Analysed patients for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage
    148 patients
    control group

    Source sentences

    Summary
    There were sustained protective tendencies and a significant decrease in the incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) (RR: 0.12, 95% CI: 0.03-0.48, p = 0.03). sICH occurred in 4 of 148 patients in the Cerebrolysin group versus 9 of 148 in the control group.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    By combining data from three studies, this meta-analysis assessed the safety and effectiveness of cerebrolysin as a supplement to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute stroke.

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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

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