Abstract WP102: Cerebrolysin Improves Neurological Outcome in Rats After Acute Stroke: a Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-controlled Study

Background and Purpose: Cerebrolysin is a mixture of neuropeptides and free amino acids that exert potent neuroprotective and neurorestorative properties in experimental models of stroke. We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled dose-response study of Cerebrolysin in both male and female rats after embolic stroke. Methods: Randomization schemas were generated using nQuery3.0. Male and female Wistar rats (3-4 months) were subjected to embolic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After confirming successful stroke with a 5 point neurological scale (Longa scale) at 3h after MCAO, ischemic rats were treated with Cerebrolysin at doses of (0.8, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5ml/kg) and saline based on the randomization schema 4h after MCAO and continued daily for a total of 10 consecutive days. The primary outcome was neurologic outcome measured by adhesive removal test, foot-fault test, and modified neurological severity score at day 28, lesion volume and mortality were secondary and safety outcomes, respectively. Results: There was a significant dose effect of Cerebrolysin on neurological functional improvement 28 day after MCAO. Cerebrolysin at a dose of ≥ 2.5ml/kg significantly (P Conclusion: Cerebrolysin in a dose-dependent manner significantly improved neurological outcomes in ischemic rats. Cerebrolysin at a dose of 5ml/kg reduced infarct volume. Our data on Cerebrolysin efficacy demonstrate the feasibility of a preclinical study setup following a randomized, placebo controlled, and blinded design with a clinical relevant treatment scheme.