An internal combustion piston engine based on a four-stroke process, including a crankcase in which at least one cylinder/piston assembly is arranged, the piston being guided by a connecting rod connected to a crankshaft. At least one cylinder head closes the cylinder, each of whose intake and exhaust channels are controlled by at least one intake valve and one exhaust valve (13, 13a). The intake and exhaust valves (13, 13a) are actuable by a rocker arm (5) or a finger lever driven by a camshaft (1) through intake and exhaust cams (2). The rocker arms or finger levers are guided on at least one axle (6). A brake control device is provided which includes, in the region of the base circle of the exhaust cam (2), at least one additional cam (1) for an additional opening of at least one of the exhaust valves (13, 13a). A control element (12, 12a) is installed between the rocker arm (5) or finger lever and the exhaust valve or valves (13, 13a), which control element (12, 12a) can be connected to the pressurized oil circulation system of the internal combustion piston engine and whose length can be varied, so that the additional cam (3) is active during a braking operation and inactive during a pure engine operation. The control element (12) is arranged in a bridge (11) that is associated with a plurality of exhaust valves (13, 13a).