Cortagen (AEDP) is a tetrapeptide biomodulator specifically synthesized for the cerebral cortex, composed of four amino acids (alanine A, glutamic acid E, aspartic acid D, and proline P), and is known as a "cortical repair peptide/cognitive anti-aging peptide." Its core functions are protecting the cerebral cortex, improving cognitive memory, combating neuroaging, and promoting nerve repair. It is a core product of the Russian Khavinson short peptide system, primarily targeting brain function maintenance, delaying neurodegeneration, and brain injury rehabilitation.
Research Origin: Developed in the 1990s by Professor Vladimir Khavinson's team at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, Russia, AEDP tetrapeptide was screened and synthesized from Cortexin, an extract from bovine cerebral cortex.
Core Positioning: A neuronal-targeting regulator for the cerebral cortex, improving cortical function through chromatin remodeling and gene expression regulation. It belongs to the tissue-specific short peptide family, along with **Epitalon (pineal gland)** and **Pinealon (whole brain)**.
Applications: In Russia, it is used for cognitive decline in the elderly and rehabilitation after brain injury/stroke; in Europe and the United States, it is circulated as a research-grade freeze-dried powder for research on neuroaging, cognitive impairment, and peripheral nerve injury.
November 2025: A meta-analysis published in *Peptide Biologix* confirmed that Cortagen can regulate 73 specific genes in the cortex, upregulate BDNF and synaptic proteins, and improve cognitive function in the elderly.
February 2026: A small-sample clinical trial by the Russian Geriatrics Society (85 patients aged 60–82 years with mild cognitive impairment) showed that after 20 days of Cortagen intervention, memory improved by 35%, attention improved by 28%, and brain electrical activity normalized.
April 2026: Research interest in Cortagen is rising in Europe and the United States; it has been included as a key research peptide in **long-term COVID-19 brain fog and chemotherapy-induced cognitive damage (chemotherapy-induced brain)**, and multiple laboratories have initiated pre-safety trials.
Chinese Name: Cortical Regulatory Peptide / Cognitive Repair Peptide
English Name: Cortagen (AEDP)
Amino Acid Sequence: Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro (Alanine - Glutamic Acid - Aspartic Acid - Proline)
Molecular Formula: C₁₇H₂₆N₄O₉
Molecular Weight: 430.41 Da
Purity: ≥98% (Research Grade), ≥99% (Pharmaceutical Grade)
Appearance: White lyophilized powder / Oral capsules
Solubility: Easily soluble in sterile water for injection and physiological saline
Half-life: 25–60 seconds (short, action is sustained through epigenetic regulation)
Storage: Powder - 20℃, sealed and protected from light; capsules at room temperature; after reconstitution, dispense at -70℃, avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
Dosage Form: Lyophilized powder (5mg/10mg/bottle), oral capsules (10mg/capsule)
1) Oral administration (Daily cognitive maintenance) (Mild Brain Aging)
Regular: 10–20 mg/day (1–2 capsules), on an empty stomach in the morning, 20 days as one cycle, with a 10-day break before repeating.
Elderly/Brain Mist: 20 mg/day, divided into 2 doses, 20 days as one cycle, for 2–3 consecutive cycles.
2) Subcutaneous Injection (Brain Injury/Cognitive Impairment/Neural Repair)
Beginner: 300–500 μg/day, subcutaneous injection in the abdomen, 2 hours after an evening meal, 20 days as one cycle.
Advanced: 800–1000 μg/day, 5 days on, 2 days off, 6 weeks as one cycle.
Combination: Combined with **Pinealon (whole brain)** and **Epithalamin (pineal gland)** for synergistic neuro-anti-aging effects.
* **Cortical Neuroprotection and Anti-apoptosis:** Downregulates p53 expression in nerve cells, reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis (by 35%–50%), protecting the cerebral cortex from damage.
**Improved Cognition and Memory:** Upregulates BDNF and synaptophysin (PSD-95, synaptophysin), enhancing synaptic density and neuroplasticity, improving learning and memory abilities (40% improvement in memory in animal studies).
**Anti-Neuroaging and Chromatin Repair:** Reverses age-related heterochromatin aggregation, restores cortical gene activity, delays nerve cell aging, and improves electroencephalogram (EEG).
**Promoted Neural Repair and Regeneration:** Activates the proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitor cells, accelerating repair after brain injury, stroke, and peripheral nerve damage, and increasing nerve conduction velocity (40% improvement in animal studies).
**Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant:** Inhibits the NF-κB pathway, reduces IL-6 and TNF-α, alleviating chronic neuroinflammatory conditions; reduces lipid peroxidation, enhancing the cortical antioxidant capacity.
Improves brain circulation and energy metabolism: Enhances cortical mitochondrial function, increases ATP production, improves cerebral blood flow, and alleviates brain fog, memory decline, and poor concentration.
**Strong Targeting of the Cerebral Cortex:** Precisely targets cortical neurons and synapses without affecting other organs, resulting in extremely low side effects.
Unique Mechanism (Epigenetic Regulation): Works through chromatin remodeling and gene expression regulation, with long-lasting effects (lasting for months after a cycle), unlike traditional receptor peptides.
Endogenous Homologous: Mimics natural human peptide fragments, non-immunogenic, non-addictive, and well-tolerated, suitable for the elderly.
Synergistic Effects: Simultaneously achieves cognitive enhancement + nerve repair + anti-aging + anti-inflammation, suitable for comprehensive treatment of chronic brain function problems.
High Safety: Animal experiments and small-sample observations in Russia showed no serious adverse reactions, and long-term use is well-tolerated.
High Combined Value: When used in combination with Ginkgo biloba extract, Omega-3, and Coenzyme Q10, the effects are synergistic and drug side effects are reduced.
Limited Human Clinical Data: There are no large-scale Phase III clinical trials; evidence is mostly derived from animal experiments and small-sample observations in Russia. Long-term efficacy remains to be verified.
Mild Action, Long Cycle: Not a fast-acting drug; effects are noticeable after 2–3 weeks. Not suitable for emergency treatment of acute stroke or traumatic brain injury.
High Price: The cost of research-grade powder and imported capsules is higher than that of ordinary brain health supplements.
Individual Differences: Effects are not significant in approximately **10%–15% of the population, and are related to genes, severity of brain injury, and age.
Compliance Limitations: There is no formal drug approval globally; it is only used as a research reagent/dietary supplement and cannot replace drug treatment.
Mechanism Not Fully Elucidated: No clearly defined receptor; the tissue-selective molecular mechanism remains to be elucidated.
Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI), early Alzheimer's disease, age-related memory decline, and inattention.
Brain Injury and Neurological Repair: Recovery period from traumatic brain injury, sequelae of ischemic stroke, sequelae of cerebral hemorrhage, peripheral nerve injury (such as sciatic nerve injury).
Brain Fog and Chronic Brain Fatigue: Long-term COVID-19 brain fog, chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (chemotherapy-induced brain), brain fatigue caused by long-term sleep deprivation/high stress, memory decline.
Adjunctive Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Adjunctive management of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.
Care for High-Risk Groups: Brain protection for the elderly over 60 years old, those with a family history of dementia, long-term smokers/drinkers, and those with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia.
Scientific Research and Anti-Aging Research: Research projects related to neuroaging, cognitive impairment, and chromatin remodeling.
Case 1: Mild Cognitive Impairment (Russia, 2026)
Subject: A 75-year-old woman with mild cognitive impairment, memory loss, poor concentration, and reduced daily activities.
**Case Study 1:** Cortagen capsules 20 mg/day, divided into two doses, for 20 days as one cycle.
**Results:** Memory improved by 38%, attention improved by 30%, brain electrical activity returned to normal, no adverse reactions.
**Case Study 2:** Rat Sciatic Nerve Injury Model (Khavinson, 2015)
Model: A rat sciatic nerve injury model was established by ligation, resulting in a 53%–66% decrease in nerve conduction velocity.
**Regimen:** Cortagen 500 μg/day, subcutaneous injection, for 15 days.
**Results:** Nerve conduction velocity increased by 40%, promoting the regeneration and functional maturation of damaged nerve fibers.
**Case Study 3:** Long-term COVID-19 Brain Fog (Europe and America, 2025)
Subject: A 52-year-old male, experiencing persistent brain fog, memory decline, poor concentration, and fatigue after COVID-19 recovery.
**Regimen:** Cortagen 500 μg/day, subcutaneous injection, for 20 days.
**Results:** Brain fog symptoms disappeared, memory and attention returned to normal, no adverse reactions.
(I) Contraindications
Patients with malignant tumors (mechanism involves gene regulation, must follow doctor's advice)
Pregnant women, breastfeeding women
Adolescents under 18 years old
Patients with severe liver and kidney dysfunction
Patients in the acute phase of stroke or traumatic brain injury
(II) Patients with Caution
Patients with autoimmune diseases
Patients with bleeding tendencies
Patients currently taking anticoagulants (such as warfarin) or antiepileptic drugs (requires professional guidance)
(III) Dietary Precautions
Avoid spicy, stimulating, high-sugar, and high-fat foods: to avoid aggravating neuroinflammation and affecting cerebral blood flow.
Avoid alcohol, strong tea, and coffee: to interfere with neurotransmitter balance and affect peptide absorption and efficacy.
Eat more foods rich in **Omega-3 (deep-sea fish, flaxseed), antioxidant foods (blueberries, spinach, nuts), and high-quality protein (eggs, lean meat)** to enhance nerve repair and antioxidant capacity.
Avoid combined use: high-dose glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants (may affect gene regulation effects). Caution should be exercised when using this product in combination with other medications: sedative-hypnotic drugs and antipsychotics (may enhance central nervous system depressant effects).
Combined use is permissible with: Ginkgo biloba extract, methylcobalamin, B vitamins, and coenzyme Q10 (synergistic effects, no adverse interactions).
Injection powder should be prepared and used immediately; reconstitute with sterile water for injection to avoid contamination; for subcutaneous injection, choose the abdomen/lateral thigh, rotating sites to reduce local irritation.
Periodic Management: Continuous use should not exceed 8 weeks; discontinue use for 10–14 days to avoid receptor desensitization; long-term maintenance can be achieved through intermittent cycles.
Monitoring Indicators: Regularly check memory, attention, cerebral blood flow, and nerve conduction velocity to assess efficacy and safety.
This product is a research-grade reagent/dietary supplement, not a drug, and cannot replace antidementia, cerebral circulation improvement, or neurotrophic drug treatments; acute attacks require immediate medical attention.
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