Neuropeptides
Peptides studied in anxiety, cognition and sleep models.
| Compound | Research area | Residues | Highest evidence | Sequence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cerebrolysin | Neuropeptides | see entry | Approved drug | |
| Dihexa | Neuropeptides | see entry | Preclinical (animal and cell studies) | |
| DSIP | Neuropeptides | 9 | Early clinical studies | WAGGDASGE–OH |
| Noopept | Neuropeptides | — | Early clinical studies | |
| Selank | Neuropeptides | 7 | Early clinical studies | TKPRPGP–OH |
| Semax | Neuropeptides | 7 | Early clinical studies | MEHFPGP–OH |
- Cerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a preparation of low-molecular-weight peptides and amino acids derived from porcine brain proteins. It is approved in some countries for neurological conditions such as stroke and dementia, but it is not approved in the US.
- Dihexa
Dihexa is a small, chemically modified peptide-like analogue of angiotensin IV developed as a metabolically stabilized research compound. It has been studied in rodent models of cognitive impairment and is not approved for any use.
- DSIP
DSIP (delta sleep-inducing peptide) is a nonapeptide first isolated in the 1970s from the blood of rabbits in which sleep had been induced. Its physiological role and receptor remain unresolved, and human evidence is limited.
- Noopept
Noopept is a dipeptide-derived small molecule, N-phenylacetyl-L-prolylglycine ethyl ester, developed in Russia as a nootropic research compound. It has been studied mostly in rodent models, with limited clinical data, and is not approved by the FDA.
- Selank
Selank is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia, built from the immunomodulatory tetrapeptide tuftsin extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. It is studied mainly for effects on anxiety-related behavior and immune signaling.
- Semax
Semax is a synthetic heptapeptide developed in Russia as an analogue of the adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment ACTH(4-7), extended with a Pro-Gly-Pro tail. It is studied for neurotrophic signaling and in models of brain injury.
Comparisons in this area
- Selank vs Semax
Selank and Semax are synthetic heptapeptides developed in Russia, each ending in a Pro-Gly-Pro extension. Selank is a tuftsin analogue studied for anxiety-related effects; Semax is an ACTH(4-10) analogue studied in neurological settings.