Effects of cerebrolysin on functional outcome of patients with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a main public health problem being associated with high mortality and morbidity. The functional outcome of TBI remains unfavorable despite several surgical and medical therapies. Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide with potential neuroregenerative entities. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects of cerebrolysin on functional outcome in patients with moderate and severe TBI. DATA SOURCES: Online databases used included Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: All the relevant studies with randomized clinical trial and cohort design evaluating the effects of intravenous cerebrolysin vs placebo on functional outcome of patients with TBI within the English literature up to October 2018 were included. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: The articles were reviewed by two independent authors and the data were extracted to a data sheet. I(2) and Cochran’s Q-statistics were used to assess heterogeneity. Based on the presence of significant heterogeneity across included studies, data were pooled using random-effects model with Dersimonian–Laird method and presented as standardized mean differences (SMDs) and corresponding 95% CI. RESULTS: Five articles (5,685 participants) were included in the current meta-analysis. The overall pooled findings using random-effects models among patients with TBI indicated that intravenous administration of cerebrolysin significantly increased Glasgow Outcome Scale score (SMD =0.30; 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.42; P<0.001; I(2): 87.8%) and decreased modified Rankin Scale score (SMD =−0.29; 95% CI: −0.42 to 0.16; P=0.05; I(2): 89.6%). LIMITATIONS: The results are mainly based on cohort studies and there is a lack of clinical trials in the literature. There is also heterogeneity among the studies regarding the dosage and duration of administration and the measurement of functional outcome. CONCLUSION: The results of the current study revealed that intravenous administration of cerebrolysin is associated with improved functional outcome in patients with TBI measured by the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the modified Rankin Scale scores.