Also known as: AEDP, Cortex Bioregulator, Cortagen Khavinson Peptide
Half-life: Short (minutes); biological effect persists via gene-expression modulation
Last reviewed: · Published:
Cortagen is a short peptide bioregulator from the Khavinson family, designed for CNS / cortical applications. Reported as the tetrapeptide Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro (AEDP), it is one of several Khavinson peptides aimed at the central nervous system (alongside Pinealon, Selank, Semax — though only Cortagen comes from the tissue-extract Khavinson methodology specifically). The compound is reported to modulate gene expression in cortical neurons, supporting neuroplasticity, memory consolidation, and recovery from cerebral ischemic injury.
Russian clinical-observational studies have evaluated Cortagen in elderly patients with cognitive decline, post-stroke recovery, and post-concussive syndrome. Reported outcomes have included improvements in memory tests, attention, and subjective cognitive function. Animal studies have demonstrated neuroprotective effects in models of cerebral ischemia and traumatic brain injury.
Cortagen is part of a coherent set of Khavinson CNS bioregulators that together aim to address different aspects of brain aging and recovery. It is sold by research-chemical vendors and used in self-experimentation for cognitive applications. Western clinical data is essentially absent.
Cortagen was developed in the 1990s and 2000s as part of the Khavinson group's broader bioregulator program, with the cortical-targeting member of the family designed for CNS applications including age-related cognitive decline and post-stroke recovery. The compound entered Russian clinical observational use through the 2000s.
Russian clinical use has reported good tolerability across elderly cognitive-impairment and post-stroke patient populations. Western safety validation is essentially absent. The CNS-targeted activity means that mild effects on sleep, mood, or attention should be expected and timed dosing (typically morning) may help avoid sleep disturbance.
Dose Range
1-5 mg
Frequency
Once daily morning (SubQ) or intranasal
Duration
10-20 day cycles, repeated 2-3 times per year
Dosing information is for educational purposes only. Consult a healthcare professional before using any peptide.
Typical Vial Size
20 mg
Water Type
Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
Mixing Volume
2 mL
Half-Life
Short (minutes); biological effect persists via gene-expression modulation
Molecular Weight
~430 Da (AEDP tetrapeptide)
Store reconstituted vial refrigerated at 2-8°C. Use within 21-30 days. Intranasal or subcutaneous administration is typical for CNS applications.
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FDA Status
Not FDA approved.
Legal Status
Unregulated research chemical outside Russia.
USA
Not approvedResearch-only
EU
Not approvedNot authorized as medicinal product
UK
Not approvedClassified as research chemical
Russia
Used in clinical practiceUsed in Russian neurology and gerontology
Australia
Not approvedTGA has not evaluated
Canada
Not approvedNot authorized for human use
Khavinson VK, Kuznik BI, Tarnovskaya SI, Linkova NS
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2015)
Foundational Khavinson-group review covering the broader short-peptide bioregulator family including Cortagen and other CNS bioregulators.
View Study →Khavinson VK, Anisimov VN, Linkova NS, Bakhmet AA
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2020)
Modern Khavinson-group mechanistic review applicable to all CNS-targeting bioregulators including Cortagen.
View Study →Khavinson VK, Bondarev IE, Butyugov AA, Smirnova TD, Vasiliev AM
Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine (2011)
Russian preclinical study demonstrating neuroprotective effects of short peptide bioregulators (including Cortagen) in animal models of cerebral ischemia, supporting the proposed mechanism in CNS applications.
View Study →Neuroprotective tripeptide bioregulator that penetrates the nuclear membrane to directly regulate gene expression in brain tissue.
Neuroprotective ACTH analog with nootropic and neurotrophic properties.
Russian-approved anxiolytic peptide derived from tuftsin with nootropic and immunomodulatory properties.
Synthetic pineal tetrapeptide that activates telomerase and modulates melatonin production.
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