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Cerebrolysin in Early Stroke Rehabilitation - Tertiary Study

Effect of Cerebrolysin on Early Rehabilitation After Ischemic Stroke at the Department of Vascular Neurology and Intensive Neurological Therapy (KOVNINT), University Medical Centre Ljubljana

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07043686
Enrollment
30
Registered
2025-06-29
Start date
2025-06-13
Completion date
2027-10-15
Last updated
2025-07-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cerebrolysin, Ischemic Stroke, Acute, Rehabilitation Outcome

Keywords

Cerebrolysin, Acute Ischemic Stroke, Neuroplasticity, Neurorehabilitation, Action Research Arm Test, Slovenia

Brief summary

The study evaluates the effect and safety of Cerebrolysin administered during early rehabilitation in patients with moderate neurological impairment after acute ischemic stroke, conducted at the Department of Vascular Neurology and Intensive Neurological Therapy, UMC Ljubljana.

Detailed description

Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation from porcine brain in an aqueous solution. The composition of 1 ml of the solution contains 215.2 mg of a low molecular weight fraction of polypeptides extracted from porcine brain (Cerebrolysin concentrate), which corresponds to at least 5.8 mg of peptide nitrogen (15%) and free amino acids (85%). Cerebrolysin has been registered for many years for the treatment of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as traumatic brain injuries worldwide. Since the first approval, the treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) has progressed and new treatment concepts have been developed. In addition, the treatment of IS with Cerebrolysin has developed with different time windows, doses and duration of treatment. The main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of Cerebrolysin in early rehabilitation as an adjunct to standard treatment in a group of patients with moderate to severe neurological impairment after acute IS in specific KOVNINT conditions. All patients will receive acute IS care according to local standards of care, which will not be changed or influenced by the study in any way. To assess the safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in practice at KOVNINT, the outcome of patients treated with Cerebrolysin will be compared to patients in the control group who will not receive Cerebrolysin. The reason for conducting the study is to determine the effectiveness of Cerebrolysin treatment in patients with moderate to severe neurological deficits after acute IS at KOVNINT and to assess the impact of these parameters on the outcome of treatment, especially the effect on neurological impairment at discharge and 90 days after IS. The aim of this study is to observe the safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in patients with moderate to severe neurological impairment after acute IS in the specific KOVNINT conditions. We will conduct an analysis of the use of Cerebrolysin as an adjunct to standard treatment and evaluate its efficacy in the early phase of IS, defined by neurological impairment at discharge and 90 days after IS. Consecutive patients will be enrolled in the study over a specified period, with the investigator independently deciding to treat with Cerebrolysin within 7 days after IS after obtaining informed consent. Patients will be included whose clinical diagnosis of acute IS will be confirmed by imaging, with patients having moderate to severe neurological impairment, defined by an initial NIHSS score of 6-12. All patients will receive standard care for IS according to local treatment. Treatment standards will not be changed and they will not be affected by the study. Cerebrolysin group: (15 patients) Patients who will be treated with Cerebrolysin will receive the drug according to the SmPC. Dosage 30 ml/day, 10 days. Administration by intravenous infusion (IV infusion). Administration procedure: The drug is diluted to a volume of 100 ml with 0.9% saline. The infusion time will be 15 min. Patients will receive the drug in accordance with the regulations on sterility of the application. To ensure sterility, single-use infusion sets and cannulas are always used. The infusion is started as soon as possible after dilution. Control group: (15 patients) Patients receiving all standard care for ICU and not receiving Cerebrolysin.

Interventions

DRUGCerebrolysin treatment

The patients will receive Cerebrolysin treatment, 10 days consecutively, 30 ml/day, intravenous infusion diluted up to 100 ml of 0.9% saline in 15 minutes.

OTHERStandard treatment (including neurorehabilitation) of acute ischemic stroke

Standard treatment entails acute ischemic stroke reperfusion treatment according to international guidelines and local policies, instituting secondary preventive treatment, a proper management of stroke risk factors and neurorehabilitation according to patient's needs: locomotor physiotherapy, occupation therapy, speech therapy, and neuropsychological assessment.

Sponsors

University Medical Centre Ljubljana
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Being able to perform ARAT test Signed informed consent Both sexes, age not specified Acute ischemic stroke confirmed by imaging NIHSS score 6-12 No prior stroke or disability (mRS 0 before stroke) \-

Exclusion criteria

Not being able to perform ARAT test * Previous stroke or disability (mRS \> 0) * The patient unable to understand instructions

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
90-day Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) Score change90 days post-strokeA standardized test after stroke to measure the function of the upper limb. Range of scores: 0-57, with higher scores meaning a better outcome.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at discharge and 90 days90 daysNIHSS is standardized in stroke medicine for measuring neurological deficits after stroke; range of scores 0-42, higher scores mean a worse outcome
Modified Rankin Score (mRS) at day 9090 daysmRS is a functional global scale measuring the functional disability after stroke, widely accepted in international registries and trials of stroke, range 0-6, with higher scores meaning worse outcome
Extended Barthel index (EBI) 90 days post-stroke90 daysEBI measures neurological improvement after stroke in activities of daily living, range 0-100, with higher scores meaning better outcome
The De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) Score 90 days90 daysMobility assessment in elderly population, range 0-100, with higher scores meaning a better outcome
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 90 days90 daysMoCA is a screening tool for mild cognitive impairment, range 0-30, with higher scores meaning a better outcome

Countries

Slovenia

Contacts

Primary ContactMatija Zupan, MD, PhD
matija.zupan@kclj.si0038615229581
Backup ContactMarjan Zaletel, MD, PhD
marjan.zaletel@kclj.si0038615227115

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026