Beneficial effect of cerebrolysin on moderate and severe head injury patients: result of a cohort study

Acta Neurochir Suppl. 2005:95:59-60. doi: 10.1007/3-211-32318-x_13.

Abstract

Cerebrolysin is used as a neurotrophic agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke and Alzheimer's Disease. Exploratory studies in patients with post-acute traumatic brain injury have shown that this treatment might help improve recovery. Aim of this study was to investigate whether addition of Cerebrolysin to the initial treatment regimen of moderate and severe head injury patients would improve their outcome. At 6 months, 67% of the patients (Cerebrolysin group) attained good outcome (GOS 3-5). The study group was compared with the historical cohort of patients from the hospital trauma data bank, with age, sex and admitting GCS matching. More patients tended to a good outcome in the Cerebrolysin group (P = 0.065). No significant side-effect requiring cessation of Cerebrolysin was noted. It can be concluded that the use of Cerebrolysin as part of the initial management of moderate and severe head injury is safe and well tolerated. The results suggest that Cerebrolysin is beneficial in regard to the outcome in these patients, especially in elderly patients.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amino Acids / adverse effects
  • Amino Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Brain Injuries / drug therapy*
  • Brain Injuries / epidemiology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Hong Kong / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroprotective Agents / adverse effects
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Prognosis
  • Trauma Severity Indices
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • cerebrolysin