Claimed effect · Cortexin

Does Cortexin help with cognitive impairment?

D
Grade D — no human evidenceOpen-label Russian reports · effect size: not measurable
Short answerNo human evidence. As of 23 September 2026, only open-label Russian reports exist for Cortexin for cognitive impairment. Uncontrolled series in encephalopathy and after stroke; nothing that can be graded above D.

What the studies show

Uncontrolled series in encephalopathy and after stroke; nothing that can be graded above D.

Animal studies, cell studies, or anecdotes only. This is where almost every viral peptide sits. Promising and proven are different words for a reason.

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In context

Cortexin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight peptides extracted from calf and pig brain cortex, registered in Russia and given by injection for stroke, brain injury and cognitive impairment. Its best evidence is a 272-patient double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in ischaemic stroke published in Russian in 2014, whose abstract reports 'high efficacy' without a primary endpoint or a figure. No trial has been published in an international journal. It is not approved anywhere this site covers.

Cortexin is not approved (russia only). Legal status differs by country — see the regulation section or the jurisdiction pages.

Questions

Is Cortexin proven to help with cognitive impairment?
No. There is no human evidence for it (Open-label Russian reports); the claim rests on animal or cell studies and LYO grades it D.
What studies are behind the grade?
Uncontrolled series in encephalopathy and after stroke; nothing that can be graded above D.
Is Cortexin approved for this?
No. Cortexin is not approved (Russia only); it is not an approved medicine for any indication in the jurisdictions LYO covers.

Other outcomes for Cortexin

Written and maintained by LYO Research — how pages are written and checked. Reviewed 23 September 2026. Grades count human evidence only; see how LYO grades. Not medical advice. Correct this page →