Cognitive Peptide Dosage Protocols
Cognitive and neurotropic peptides modulate neurotrophin expression and synaptic plasticity. Selank, Semax, Cerebrolysin, and the Khavinson short-chain peptides (Pinealon, Adamax, PE-22-28) sit in this directory.
7 protocols indexed
Selank
Selank (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro) is a synthetic heptapeptide anxiolytic derived from the endogenous immunomodulator tuftsin, developed at the Russian Academy of Sciences' Institute of Molecular Genetics. It acts as a non-benzodiazepine GABA-A modulator and upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), producing anxiolysis without sedation, dependence, or withdrawal [1][2]. In a controlled trial of generalized anxiety disorder, Selank produced anxiolytic efficacy equivalent to medazepam while improving rather than impairing attention and working memory [3]. Intranasal dosing of 250–750 mcg per administration two to three times daily (total 900–1350 mcg) is the standard Russian clinical regimen across 14-day courses. Selank is registered as a prescription pharmaceutical in Russia (Peptogen, 0.15% nasal solution) for anxiety and asthenic disorders but has no FDA, EMA, or MHRA approval; in the United States it remains a research compound only. Its safety record across two decades of clinical use is favorable, with no reported abuse liability.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardResearch PeptideAdamax
Adamax (Ac-MEHFPGP-AG-NH2) is a synthetic nonapeptide derivative of Semax with an N-terminal acetyl group and a C-terminal Ala-Gly amide tail engineered to confer greater enzymatic stability and lipophilicity than the parent ACTH(4-10) analogue [1]. It belongs to the broader family of melanocortin-derived nootropic peptides developed within the Russian Academy of Sciences' neuropeptide program. Like Semax, Adamax is investigated for melanocortin receptor activity, BDNF/TrkB upregulation, and protection against ischemic and oxidative neuronal injury, with the modified backbone giving it longer in vivo half-life and stronger blood-brain barrier penetration on a per-dose basis [2]. Research dosing is typically 100–600 mcg intranasally one to two times daily, well below the equivalent Semax dose range, with cycle lengths of 2–6 weeks. Adamax is not FDA approved, has no EMA authorization, and is not registered as a pharmaceutical in any jurisdiction; it remains a research-only compound with no published human clinical trials.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardResearch PeptideCerebrolysin
Cerebrolysin is a porcine brain-derived peptide and amino acid concentrate produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of purified porcine brain proteins, yielding a complex mixture of low-molecular-weight neuropeptides (under 10 kDa) with neurotrophic activity analogous to BDNF, NGF, GDNF, and CNTF. It is registered as a prescription neurotrophic drug in over 50 countries (including Austria, Germany, Russia, China, and across Eastern Europe) for stroke, traumatic brain injury, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer disease [1][2]. The pivotal CASTA and CARS randomized trials demonstrated improved neurological recovery at 30 mL intravenous daily for 10–21 days in acute ischemic stroke [3][4], and the CONSCIOUS observational program documented arousal improvements in minimally conscious state at 10 mL/day for 20+ days. Cerebrolysin is not FDA approved and is unavailable in the United States. Typical adult dosing ranges from 5 to 30 mL daily by slow IV infusion or intramuscular injection, with 10-day to 4-week cycles repeated 1–4 times yearly depending on indication.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardBioregulator PeptideCortagen
Cortagen is a synthetic tetrapeptide (Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro, AEDP) developed by Vladimir Khavinson and colleagues at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology, derived by directed synthesis from the amino-acid composition of the polypeptide preparation Cortexin (a bovine cerebral cortex hydrolysate used in Russian neurology since the 1980s) [1][2]. Cortagen is classified as a peptide bioregulator targeting the cerebral cortex and is investigated for neuroprotection, cognitive support, nerve regeneration, and modulation of neurogenic and immune gene programs. Preclinical work shows Cortagen activates interleukin-2 mRNA synthesis, corrects metabolic disturbances in models of chronic cerebral ischemia, and supports peripheral and central nerve regeneration after injury [3]. Research dosing is empirical: typically 100–400 mcg/day subcutaneously or 1–3 mg/day orally across 10–20 day cycles, repeated 2–4 times yearly. Cortagen is registered as a dietary peptide product in Russia under bioregulator legislation but has no FDA, EMA, or MHRA approval. Human safety data are limited to Russian observational use.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardResearch PeptidePE-22-28
PE-22-28 is a 7-amino-acid synthetic peptide derived as a truncated analogue of spadin, the 17-residue sortilin-derived peptide first described by Mazella and colleagues in PLoS Biology 2010 as a selective TREK-1 potassium channel blocker with antidepressant-like activity [1]. PE-22-28 was developed by Djillani and colleagues in 2017 as a shortened analog with dramatically improved potency (IC50 ~0.12 nM vs. 40–60 nM for spadin), in vivo stability, and action duration of up to 23 hours [2]. By inhibiting the two-pore-domain potassium channel TREK-1, PE-22-28 produces fast-onset antidepressant effects in rodent models without the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, or pro-seizure side effects associated with TREK-1 knockout phenotypes. PE-22-28 has no human clinical trial data, no FDA or EMA approval, and is not registered as a pharmaceutical in any jurisdiction. It remains a research-only compound used preclinically at typical doses of 100–500 mcg/kg subcutaneously or intranasally; equivalent human research dosing is empirical and unvalidated.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardBioregulator PeptidePinealon
Pinealon is a synthetic tripeptide (Glu-Asp-Arg, EDR) designed by Vladimir Khavinson at the St. Petersburg Institute of Bioregulation and Gerontology as a short-peptide bioregulator targeting the pineal gland and broader neuroendocrine system [1][2]. It belongs to the Khavinson cytogen family of short peptides that, according to Khavinson and colleagues, penetrate plasma and nuclear membranes to bind specific DNA sequences and modulate tissue-specific gene programs. Preclinical work documents neuroprotection against hypoxia and oxidative stress, modulation of PCNA and p21 expression in neuronal cultures, and protection of induced neurons from age-related changes [3][4]. Research dosing varies widely: published rodent protocols use 10–100 mcg subcutaneously or intranasally, while outpatient Russian peptide-bioregulator practice uses 1–20 mg orally per day in 10–30 day cycles repeated 2–4 times per year. Pinealon is registered in Russia under dietary peptide-bioregulator legislation but has no FDA, EMA, or MHRA approval. Human safety data are limited to observational use.
Open Protocolarrow_forwardNootropic & NeuropeptideSemax
Semax (Met-Glu-His-Phe-Pro-Gly-Pro, MEHFPGP) is a synthetic heptapeptide analogue of adrenocorticotropic hormone fragment ACTH(4-10), with a stabilizing Pro-Gly-Pro tail added to confer resistance to proteolysis. Developed at the M. M. Shemyakin and Yu. A. Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry by Kaplan, Ashmarin and colleagues, Semax exerts nootropic, neuroprotective, and antidepressant-like effects through melanocortin receptor signaling and robust BDNF/trkB upregulation in the hippocampus [1][2]. Russian clinical trials in acute ischemic stroke (Gusev group) showed reduced infarct progression and improved neurological recovery at intranasal doses of 12–18 mg/day [3]. Semax is on the Russian Federation List of Vital and Essential Drugs and has been registered since 1994 for stroke, optic nerve disease, and cognitive disorders. Typical research dosing in healthy adults is 600–1500 mcg intranasally per day. Semax is not FDA or EMA approved; it remains an investigational compound outside Russia and is scheduled for FDA Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee review.
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