Cerebrolysin vs SS-31 (Elamipretide)
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides and free amino acids derived from purified pig brain proteins. It is approved in many countries for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia.
Full details →SS-31 (Elamipretide)
SS-31, also known as Elamipretide or Bendavia, is a mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide. It has been studied extensively for mitochondrial diseases, heart failure, and age-related decline in mitochondrial function.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Cerebrolysin | SS-31 (Elamipretide) |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 2150 mg–4300 mg | 20 mg–40 mg |
| Frequency | 1x daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 1–2 weeks | 4–12 weeks |
| Route | intramuscular | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Contains multiple neurotrophic factors that promote neuroplasticity, reduce neuronal apoptosis, and support synaptic function. Has both neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. | Concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane where it binds to cardiolipin, stabilizing electron transport chain function, reducing reactive oxygen species, and improving ATP production efficiency. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical dosing: 10-30ml IV daily for acute conditions. Research use: 5-10ml IM daily for cognitive enhancement. Treatment courses typically last 10-20 days. | Clinical trials have used IV infusions of 0.25mg/kg for acute conditions. Subcutaneous dosing protocols for research use typically range from 1-5mg daily. |
| Administration | Administered via intramuscular or intravenous injection. IV administration is typically used in clinical settings. IM can be used for research purposes. | Can be administered IV or subcutaneously. Most clinical research has used IV administration for cardiac conditions. |
| Side Effects | Generally well-tolerated. May cause dizziness, headache, sweating, or injection site reactions. Rare cases of agitation or confusion. | Generally well-tolerated. Clinical trials reported injection site reactions and occasional headache. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Cerebrolysin, SS-31 (Elamipretide) are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Cerebrolysin:
Unique to SS-31 (Elamipretide):
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Recovery & Healing: Cerebrolysin has stronger research support.
| Goal | Cerebrolysin | SS-31 (Elamipretide) |
|---|---|---|
| Recovery & Healing | high | medium |
Key Studies
Cerebrolysin
- Cerebrolysin Ameliorates Age-Induced Dendritic Spine Degeneration and Memory Decline in C57BL6 Mice.
Neurochemical research, 2025
- Is Cerebrolysin Useful in Psychiatry Disorders?
Biomedicines, 2025
- Cerebrolysin ameliorates ketamine-mediated anxiety and cognitive impairments via modulation of mitochondrial function and CREB/PGC-1α pathway.
Molecular brain, 2025
SS-31 (Elamipretide)
- Elamipretide: First Approval.
Drugs, 2026
- Targeting Mitochondrial Dysfunction With Elamipretide (SS-31) Improves Skeletal Muscle Performance in a HFpEF Rat Model.
Circulation. Heart failure, 2026
- Elamipretide (SS-31) and Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (NMN) Combination Therapy Targets TREM2 to Mitigate Post-ischemic Brain Injury in Mice.
Neurochemical research, 2026
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