# Cortagen

> Evidence tier C — Animal data · Longevity & Immune · reviewed 2026-11-08
> Source page: https://peptidemeta.com/p/cortagen/

Also known as: AEDP, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro

## Quick answers

**What is Cortagen?**

A short bioregulatory peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) from the Khavinson school that targets CNS gene expression.

**How strong is the evidence for Cortagen?**

Tier C (animal data) on the peptidemeta evidence scale. Published evidence is limited to rat and cell studies, mostly from Russian bioregulator research groups. No human clinical trials were found.

**Is Cortagen FDA-approved?**

No. Cortagen is not approved by the FDA for any use.

**Is Cortagen banned in sport?**

Yes. Cortagen is prohibited in sport by the World Anti-Doping Agency under S0 (non-approved substances).

**How does Cortagen work?**

Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) is a bioregulatory tetrapeptide proposed to enter cells and interact with DNA promoter regions to modulate gene expression in cortical neurons. It is reported to upregulate neuroprotective genes and antioxidant defenses in brain tissue, though precise receptor-level mechanisms remain under investigation.

**What is known about the safety of Cortagen?**

Limited safety data outside Khavinson group publications. Reported to be well-tolerated in short cycles.

## Key facts

- **Evidence tier:** C (Animal data)
- **FDA:** not approved
- **WADA:** prohibited (S0)
- **Peptide:** yes
- **Sequence:** AEDP (4 residues)
- **Formula:** C17H26N4O9
- **Molecular weight:** 430.4 g/mol
- **Routes studied:** Subcutaneous, Intramuscular

## Overview

A short bioregulatory peptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) from the Khavinson school that targets CNS gene expression. It is used in anti-aging protocols to support brain function during senescence.

## Mechanism

Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro) is a bioregulatory tetrapeptide proposed to enter cells and interact with DNA promoter regions to modulate gene expression in cortical neurons. It is reported to upregulate neuroprotective genes and antioxidant defenses in brain tissue, though precise receptor-level mechanisms remain under investigation.

## Effects reported in research

_Reported outcomes, not promises; see the evidence tier._

- CNS gene expression regulation
- Supported cortical neuron viability
- Neuroprotective during aging
- Improved cognitive resilience

## Safety & unknowns

Limited safety data outside Khavinson group publications. Reported to be well-tolerated in short cycles. No independent Western clinical trials. Not FDA-approved. Used primarily within Russian bioregulator medicine protocols.

## Studies

- Zarubina IV, Shabanov PD. (2011). *[Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemia]*. Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Farmakologiia. Preclinical. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21476278/
  Rat study (in Russian) reporting that cortexin and cortagen sped behavioral recovery and limited lipid peroxidation in the brain after chronic ischemia.

## Status sources

- [Zarubina & Shabanov 2011 — cortagen in rats with chronic brain ischemia](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21476278/)
- [Delayed effect of cortagen on nerve-function recovery (Dokl Biol Sci 2002)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12134478/)
- [PubChem CID 18439621 (cortagen)](https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/18439621)
- [WADA 2026 Prohibited List — S0 non-approved substances](https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2026list_en_final_clean_september_2025.pdf)

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Educational reference only — not medical advice. No dosing information is published. Tiers rate the strength of published evidence, not effectiveness or safety.