Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in acute brain injury and neurorecovery: CAPTAIN I-a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Asian-Pacific trial
Poon W, Matula C, Vos PE, Muresanu DF, von Steinbüchel N, von Wild K, Hömberg V, Wang E, Lee TMC, Strilciuc S, Vester JC · 2020 · Neurol Sci 41:281-293
Reported findings and study design
The primary intention-to-treat composite did not reach conventional statistical significance: MW 0.63 (95% CI 0.48–0.77). Per-protocol analysis favored Cerebrolysin (p=0.0240), as did selected cognitive tests.
Dose, route and schedule
Cerebrolysin 50 mL/day intravenously for 10 days, then two additional ten-day cycles at 10 mL/day; matched saline plus standard care. Historical study methods, not personal-use instructions.
Protocol source ↗ · Indexed abstract
| Measure | Result | Comparison, timing and statistics |
|---|---|---|
| Primary intention-to-treat composite | MW 0.63 (95% CI 0.48–0.77) | Not statistically significant at 0.05; abstract reports p<0.1 |
| Per-protocol composite | MW 0.69 (95% CI 0.53–0.85) | p=0.0240 |
| Selected cognitive outcomes | Stroop p=0.0415; Color Trails 1 p=0.0223; Color Trails 2 p=0.0170 |
Primary and per-protocol findings differ; selected positive tests are not a positive primary intention-to-treat result. Small exploratory trial; CAPTAIN pooled and follow-up papers should not be counted as new participants.
Source for the extracted data ↗ · Checked 2026-11-01
Molekul summary of the linked publication. Educational information, not medical advice. Seek qualified healthcare help for medical conditions.
Methods, limitations & source review
Study limitations
- Primary and per-protocol findings differ; selected positive tests are not a positive primary intention-to-treat result.
- Small exploratory trial; CAPTAIN pooled and follow-up papers should not be counted as new participants.
Publication counts are not counts of independent trials. Reviews, translations and reports sharing participants may overlap. Findings apply to the studied preparation, population and endpoints.
Review depth: Indexed abstract checked
Source access and review scope
Primary indexed abstract and publication metadata checked through Europe PMC on 1 November 2026. Full-text methods not reviewed.
Recorded source-check date: 2026-11-01. This date does not imply a completed systematic review.
Source type: Original journal report
Citation and original source
Original source: Poon W, Matula C, Vos PE, Muresanu DF, von Steinbüchel N, von Wild K, Hömberg V, Wang E, Lee TMC, Strilciuc S, Vester JC. Safety and efficacy of Cerebrolysin in acute brain injury and neurorecovery: CAPTAIN I-a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, Asian-Pacific trial Neurol Sci 41:281-293 2020.
Molekul research summary: https://molekul.io/research/placebo-31494820. Cite the original publication for its findings and this page when referring to Molekul’s summary or evidence appraisal.
Bibliography entry