A retrospective study of Cerebrolysin in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury: Cognitive and functional outcomes

Abstract

In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of the neurotrophic compound Cerebrolysin on executive, cognitive, and functional performance in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) with a highly severe disability level. A total of 44 patients were included in the study, with 33 patients in the control group and 11 patients in the interventional group who received intravenous infusions of 30 mL Cerebrolysin. Both groups received standard rehabilitation therapy following the rehabilitation protocol for patients with TBI at Hospital Clínico Mutual de Seguridad. Functional and cognitive scales were evaluated at baseline, at four months, and at the endpoint of the intervention therapy at seven months (on average). The results revealed a significant improvement in the Cerebrolysin-treated group compared to the control group. Specifically, patients who received Cerebrolysin showed a moderate residual disability and a significant reduction in the need for care. Concerning the promising results and considering the limitations of the retrospective study design, we suggest that randomized controlled studies be initiated to corroborate the positive findings for Cerebrolysin in patients with moderate to severe brain trauma.

Keywords: CNS: Central Nervous System; Cerebrolysin; DRS: Disability Rating Scale; EEG: ElectroEncephaloGram; FAB: Frontal Assessment Battery; FIM: Functional Independence Measure; GCS: Glasgow Coma Scale; HCMS: Hospital Clínico de la Mutual de Seguridad; LOTCA: Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment; MoCA: Montreal Cognitive Assessment; NF: Neurotrophic Factors; NMDAR: N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors; RLAS: Rancho Los Amigos Scale; TBI; TBI: Traumatic brain injury; brain injuries; neurological rehabilitation; patient outcome assessment; rehabilitation.