At a glance
What is it—and why does it matter?
In the source, cortagen is identified as a synthetic peptide drug (i.e., a peptide-based therapeutic made by chemical synthesis). Among the significantly changed clones, matches were reported to 110 known genes spanning multiple functional categories. Using comparative cDNA microarray hybridisation of heart samples, 234 clones—reported as 1,53% of all clones—showed significant expression changes between control and Cortagen-treated groups.
Sources for this introduction: [1] [2] [3]
This published profile is a reference in progress. Findings retain their source context; missing topics are marked below.
What is it?
A molecule, not a product name.
Identity
Cortagen is defined here as a synthetic tetrapeptide (four amino acids) with the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro.
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“The synthetic tetrapeptide Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) was obtained by directed synthesis based on amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation Cortexin.”
Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray. · OBJECTIVES
pubmed:15159690:ddb98387011f:ddb98387011f
Identity
In the source, cortagen is identified as a synthetic peptide drug (i.e., a peptide-based therapeutic made by chemical synthesis).
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“The polypeptide drug cortexin and the synthetic peptide drug cortagen accelerate the recovery of disturbed individual behavior of ischemic rats with different resistance to hypoxia (high and low resistant rats).”
[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]. · Abstract
pubmed:21476278:d08977d70f62:d08977d70f62
How does it work?
Target, response, and disposition.
Mechanism
Cortagen’s synthesis was guided by amino-acid analysis of a natural brain cortex peptide preparation (Cortexin), indicating it was designed from that preparation’s composition.
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“The synthetic tetrapeptide Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) was obtained by directed synthesis based on amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation Cortexin.”
Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray. · OBJECTIVES
pubmed:15159690:ddb98387011f:ddb98387011f
Mechanism
Among the significantly changed clones, matches were reported to 110 known genes spanning multiple functional categories.
- Reported result
- 110 known genes
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“that matched 110 known genes belonging to various functional categories.”
Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray. · RESULTS
pubmed:15159690:ddb98387011f:ddb98387011f
What has been studied?
What the evidence says.
Study findings
In an ischemic rat model stratified by resistance to hypoxia, cortagen was reported to speed recovery of impaired individual behavior.
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“The polypeptide drug cortexin and the synthetic peptide drug cortagen accelerate the recovery of disturbed individual behavior of ischemic rats with different resistance to hypoxia (high and low resistant rats).”
[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]. · Abstract
pubmed:21476278:d08977d70f62:d08977d70f62
Study findings
Using comparative cDNA microarray hybridisation of heart samples, 234 clones—reported as 1,53% of all clones—showed significant expression changes between control and Cortagen-treated groups.
- Reported result
- 234 clones (1,53% of the total number of clones)
- Source records
- 1
- Independent studies
- 1
Evidence boundary: Applies only to the source-defined population, formulation, dose, and assessment period.
Exact passages, locators, and provenance
- supports · Source-backed record
“Comparative analysis of cDNA microarray hybridisation with heart samples from control and experimental group revealed 234 clones (1,53% of the total number of clones) with significant changes of expression”
Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray. · RESULTS
pubmed:15159690:ddb98387011f:ddb98387011f
Risks and interactions
Risks, organized for scanning.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Products and regulatory status
Same ingredient. Different records.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Administration context
The practical clinical context.
This profile does not yet contain a published summary for this topic. This is a coverage gap, not evidence that no research exists.
Research status + gaps
What still needs better answers?
- No publishable claim yet for: administration, contraindication, interaction, regulatory, safety
- 7 compiled claim(s) withheld by automated assurance: assurance_score_below_0.58 (6), assurance_score_below_0.72 (1), current_regulatory_source_required (1), extraction_ambiguity (7), high_risk_requires_regulatory_or_two_independent_sources (1), no_direct_support (7)
These are the limits of this profile, not an exhaustive list of scientific uncertainties.
References + discovery
Open the records yourself.
- Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarray. ↗
pubmed · published 2004-01-01 · retrieved 2026-09-04T19:33:01Z
- [Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]. ↗
pubmed · published 2011-01-01 · retrieved 2026-09-08T21:47:58Z
Publication history and provenance
Version 1 · Automated assessment · 2026-09-08T21:47:58Z
0d1a209f9b65ccca98be67f493fec6ab8fbd8c37140254e42b8d7f457443e488