title: Effects of cerebrolysin on functional recovery in patients with severe disability after traumatic brain injury: A historical cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of cerebrolysin on functional recovery in patients with severe disability after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study being performed during a 2-year period in a level I trauma center in Southern Iran including all the adult patients (>16years) with severe disability (GOS of 2 and 3) 1-month after trauma. We excluded those with posttraumatic seizures and those with meningitis or current infections. Some patients received cerebrolysin (n=65) and some did not (n=64). Cerebrolysin was administered intravenously in 10mL dosage daily for 30days. Patients in two study groups were matched regarding the baseline characteristics including age, gender, GCS on admission, pupil reactivity and Rotterdam score. The administered cerebrolysin dosage was 10mL intravenously daily for 30days. The 3- and 6-month Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended (GOSE) was recorded. The outcome scales were compared between two study groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall we included 129 patients with severe disability 1-month after TBI. The baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. We found that GOSE at 3-month (p=0.017) and 6-month (p=0.009) was significantly higher in those receiving cerebrolysin. Cerebrolysin administration was associated with lower mortality rate, and higher good recovery after 6 month of therapy (p=0.024). Cerebrolysin administration was also associated with higher favorable and lower unfavorable outcome (p=0.043). Cerebrolysin was associated with higher seizure rate (p=0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cerebrolysin administration in patients with severe disability after TBI is associated with improved functional recovery, decreased mortality rate and increased favorable outcome. Seizure is important side effect of cerebrolysin administration in TBI patients.
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Trauma Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Hosseinali
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niakan
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Electronic address: fariborz.ghaffarpasand@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Fariborz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghaffarpasand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000070642:Brain Injuries, Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D023261:Glasgow Outcome Scale; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011379:Prognosis; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; C006952:cerebrolysin
keywords: Cerebrolysin; Functional recovery; Prognosis; Severe disability; Traumatic brain injury (TBI)