Cortagen (Ala-Glu-Asp-Leu, AEDL) is a synthetic tetrapeptide (MW ~446 g/mol) developed by Vladimir Khavinson as a bioregulatory peptide targeting the cerebral cortex. Like other Khavinson bioregulators, it is proposed to normalize gene expression in brain tissue. Evidence is limited to Russian preclinical studies and small uncontrolled clinical observations from the developing laboratory, with no independent replication or controlled clinical trials.
Category: Nootropic / Neuroprotective. Evidence rating: D (animal/preclinical only).
Clinical status: Preclinical / small open-label Russian studies only. No controlled clinical trials. Available as a dietary supplement in Russia.
Cortagen is proposed by the Khavinson group to penetrate cells and interact with DNA regulatory sequences to normalize gene expression in cortical neurons. Preclinical studies from the developer report that cortagen promotes neuronal survival under ischemic and neurotoxic conditions, modulates…
Safety considerations: No controlled safety studies have been conducted; No serious adverse effects reported in Russian open-label observations; Long-term safety is unknown.
Reviewed by the PeptideAtlas Editorial Team. Last reviewed: 2026-07-06.
Related peptides: Semax, Cerebrolysin, Pinealon.
Compare: Cortagen vs Semax, Cortagen vs Cerebrolysin, Cortagen vs Pinealon.
Both are Khavinson bioregulatory peptides, but cortagen (AEDL) is a tetrapeptide claimed to target the cerebral cortex, while pinealon (EDR) is a tripeptide claimed to target the pineal gland and brain. Both lack independent clinical validation.
No rigorous clinical evidence exists. Published data consists of preclinical studies and small, uncontrolled clinical observations from the Khavinson research group. No randomized controlled trials or independent replications have been published.
Cortagen is available as a dietary supplement in Russia and can be found from grey-market peptide suppliers online. It is not a regulated pharmaceutical product in any Western country, and product quality is not guaranteed.