Cortagen

also known as: Cortexin peptide, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, AEDP

A Khavinson-group tetrapeptide isolated from cortex tissue — used in Russian neurology practice for post-stroke cognitive deficit; evidence is almost entirely Russian-language with minimal Western replication.

One of the Khavinson short-chain peptide bioregulators (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro), derived from the parent Cortexin extract and proposed to regulate gene expression in cortical neurons and support recovery after ischemic brain injury in the Russian clinical literature.

Mechanism of action

Hypothesized by the Khavinson group to act as a tissue-specific gene-expression modulator — the short peptide sequence is proposed to bind DNA promoter regions in cortical cells and regulate transcription of neurotrophic and neuroprotective genes. Western mechanistic studies are limited; most published work is from the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology.

Primary uses

Research into post-ischemic cognitive recovery (Russian clinical literature)
Investigational neuroprotection

Typical dosing

not established not established (intramuscular (parent Cortexin))

Russian clinical practice uses the parent Cortexin extract at 10 mg IM for 10 days; dosing for the synthetic short peptide is not standardized outside Khavinson-group studies.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. The parent Cortexin extract is registered as a medicine in Russia and several CIS countries for neurological indications; the synthetic Cortagen short peptide is marketed as a bioregulator / supplement in the same jurisdictions.

References

[pubmed] Khavinson VK. "Peptides and ageing." Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 2002;23 Suppl 3:11-144.
[review] Khavinson VK, Malinin VV. "Gerontological aspects of genome peptide regulation." Karger AG, Basel, 2005.

Related peptides

Epithalon

A synthetic pineal tetrapeptide from the Khavinson group (St. Petersburg) — the only peptide with published data claiming telomerase activation and telomere elongation in human cell models.

Cerebrolysin

A porcine-derived neurotrophic peptide preparation approved in 40+ countries (not US) for stroke, dementia, and traumatic brain injury — with the largest clinical evidence base of any nootropic peptide preparation.

Pinealon

A Khavinson tripeptide proposed to cross the blood–brain barrier and support neuronal gene expression in aging brain tissue — animal data in hypoxia and oxidative stress models; no Western clinical trials.

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.