Cortexin
Also known as: Cortexin polypeptide complex
A polypeptide extract of animal cerebral cortex, commonly cited in the research literature for context around neuroprotection.
Cortexin at a glance
| Name | Cortexin |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Cortexin polypeptide complex |
| Category | Cognitive & neuroprotective |
| Type | Peptide |
| Sequence | Mixture of low-molecular-weight polypeptides extracted from bovine or porcine cerebral cortex |
| Typical dose | ~10 mg per day (commonly cited) |
| Frequency | Once daily for a course of 10 days |
| Route | Intramuscular injection (research) |
| Half-life | Not well characterized, given the mixed polypeptide composition. |
Overview
Cortexin is not a single peptide but a complex of low-molecular-weight polypeptides extracted from the cerebral cortex of cattle or pigs. It is marketed as a medicine in Russia and some neighboring countries for neurological conditions. Rigorous international clinical validation is lacking, and it is included here for educational context only.
How it’s thought to work
- Reported to have tissue-specific neurotrophic effects.
- Appears to modulate the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.
- Studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in the brain.
Researched uses
- Recovery after stroke or brain injury in regional studies
- Cognitive impairment and encephalopathy
- Epilepsy and neurological development in exploratory work
Commonly cited protocol
| Typical dose | ~10 mg per day (commonly cited) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Once daily for a course of 10 days |
| Route | Intramuscular injection (research) |
| Notes | Typically supplied as a lyophilized vial dissolved in saline or procaine before intramuscular injection. |
Reconstitution
For a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL, the concentration is 5 mg/mL, so a 10 mg dose is the full 2 mL (about 200 units), usually given intramuscularly rather than with an insulin syringe.
Cortexin dosage calculator
The calculator below is pre-filled with Cortexin’s commonly cited vial size and dose. Adjust the vial amount, bacteriostatic water, or dose to match your own vial — it will show the exact insulin-syringe units to draw, the concentration, and how many doses the vial holds.
Add 2 mL of bacteriostatic water to your 10 mg vial. That gives you about 1 doses of 10 mg. For each dose, draw 200 units into a 100-unit insulin syringe.
See the full Cortexin dosing chart (units for every dose & water amount), or open the full peptide calculator →
Cautions
- Not FDA-approved; approved only in some non-Western markets.
- Independent clinical evidence is limited.
- Being an animal-derived extract, composition can vary by batch.
- Allergic reactions to animal protein are possible.
Cortexin FAQ
What is Cortexin?
A polypeptide extract of animal cerebral cortex, commonly cited in the research literature for context around neuroprotection.
How does Cortexin work?
Reported to have tissue-specific neurotrophic effects. Appears to modulate the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters. Studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in the brain.
What is Cortexin used for?
Recovery after stroke or brain injury in regional studies; Cognitive impairment and encephalopathy; Epilepsy and neurological development in exploratory work.
What is a typical Cortexin dose?
~10 mg per day (commonly cited), Once daily for a course of 10 days, Intramuscular injection (research). This is a commonly cited figure for context only, not medical advice.
How do you reconstitute Cortexin?
For a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 2 mL, the concentration is 5 mg/mL, so a 10 mg dose is the full 2 mL (about 200 units), usually given intramuscularly rather than with an insulin syringe.
What is the half-life of Cortexin?
Not well characterized, given the mixed polypeptide composition.