Cognitive Health
Peptides targeting cognitive function, neuroprotection, and neurodegeneration.
Clinical Overview
Cognitive Health
Peptides targeting cognitive function, neuroprotection, and neurodegeneration.
Cognitive-health peptides span nootropic, neuroprotective, and synaptogenic mechanisms. Evidence quality ranges from Cochrane-level human data (cerebrolysin) to predominantly preclinical (dihexa).
Mechanism Classes
Multi-factor neuropeptide preparations
Cerebrolysin is a neuropeptide preparation derived from porcine brain with decades of international clinical use in stroke and vascular dementia.
Anxiolytic / nootropic peptides
Selank is a heptapeptide with anxiolytic and cognitive-enhancing effects developed in Russia. Typically administered intranasally to bypass the blood-brain barrier.
ACTH-fragment neuroprotective peptides
Semax is a synthetic ACTH fragment with neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties. Like selank, often administered intranasally.
Angiotensin IV synaptogenic analogs
Dihexa is a small-molecule angiotensin IV analog with potent synaptogenic effects in preclinical models. Human clinical data remains limited.
Regulatory Status
FDA-Approved
None FDA-approved in this category.
Investigational / Off-Label
- Selank
- Cerebrolysin
- Semax
- Dihexa
Cerebrolysin is approved in 35+ countries (Russia, China, Austria, Germany, and others) for ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and vascular dementia — but is not FDA-approved in the United States.
Evidence Base
Cerebrolysin has Cochrane-reviewed data for acute ischemic stroke and vascular dementia. Selank and semax have primarily Russian human trials with smaller Western follow-up. Dihexa remains predominantly preclinical.
Primary-Literature References
12
Across 1 linked monograph
Prescribing Considerations
- 1Rule out reversible contributors first: untreated sleep apnea, thyroid dysfunction, B12 / folate deficiency, depression, medication effects.
- 2Validated baseline cognitive assessment (MoCA or similar) before initiating therapy.
- 3For established MCI or early dementia, coordinate with neurology and ensure standard-of-care workup including imaging.
- 4Intranasal routes (selank, semax) bypass the blood-brain barrier — confirm proper formulation and dosing accuracy.
- 5Review concurrent psychotropic medications for interactions.
- 6Do not position as disease-modifying for established Alzheimer's — no peptide has demonstrated reversal of Alzheimer's in RCTs.
Peptides in this category(1)
Clinical monographs for each agent — dosing ranges, safety profile, evidence, and prescribing considerations.
3 additional monographs in this category are in clinical review and will be published soon.