Cortagen

Neuroprotective tetrapeptide bioregulator · Also known as AEDP peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro

What is cortagen?

A synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) derived from the brain cortex peptide preparation Cortexin. Part of the Khavinson bioregulator family, it is studied for nerve regeneration, cognitive support, and epigenetic modulation of neural repair genes.

Cortagen was identified through amino acid analysis of Cortexin, a polypeptide mixture derived from bovine brain cortex tissue used in Russian medicine. Unlike most nootropics that modulate neurotransmitters, Cortagen is believed to work at the epigenetic level by influencing chromatin structure and gene expression patterns related to neural repair. Animal studies show accelerated peripheral nerve regeneration, but human clinical data remains limited.

Key takeaway: Cortagen accelerated sciatic nerve regeneration by 27-40% in animal studies and has shown therapeutic effects on peripheral nerve recovery in limited human observations, but rigorous clinical trial data is lacking.

Benefits & evidence

Peripheral nerve regeneration Moderate confidence
Neuroprotection Moderate confidence
Cognitive support Preliminary confidence
Epigenetic gene regulation Preliminary confidence
Oxidative stress reduction Preliminary confidence

How it works

Cortagen modulates gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, influencing chromatin accessibility and transcriptional activation of genes involved in neural repair and stress response. In animal studies, it upregulated stress-response genes (Pass1, Hsc70), developmental signaling molecules (Bmp2, Wnt4), and components of cell survival pathways (Eps15). This broad transcriptional effect may explain its ability to accelerate nerve regeneration across different injury types.

In addition to its epigenetic activity, Cortagen provides neuroprotection through reduction of oxidative stress and modulation of inflammatory pathways in the central nervous system. Studies at the Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology showed that it increased the growth rate and conduction velocity of regenerating nerve fibers after sciatic nerve transection. These combined mechanisms position it as a potential recovery-focused bioregulator rather than a symptomatic treatment.

Dosing information

Typical dosing protocol
Starting dose

10 mcg/kg/day

5-10 days
Maintenance dose

10 mcg/kg/day

5-10 days per course

Dosing is based on animal studies using intramuscular injection at 10 mcg/kg for 10 days after nerve injury. Human dosing protocols (0.1-5 mg/day for 5-10 days) appear in limited clinical reports but lack rigorous trial validation. Not approved for clinical use.

Side effects

Most side effects tend to improve as your body adjusts.

No significant adverse effects reported Common