Peptides for Cognitive & Neuroprotection
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Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
12
Compounds
1
Approved
0
In Trials
11
Research
4
Clinical Trials
Cognitive and neuroprotective peptides represent one of the most active areas of preclinical research and one of the least developed clinical pipelines. PeptideTrace tracks 12 compounds here: one approved, zero in clinical trials, and 11 in research-only status.
The sole approval is trofinetide (Daybue), licensed in 2023 for Rett syndrome — a specific neurodevelopmental condition, not a general cognitive enhancer. Its mechanism involves modulating neuroinflammation and synaptic function, but the approval is narrow and condition-specific.
The 11 research compounds include semax and selank (developed in Russia with limited Western clinical data), their N-acetyl variants (NA-Semax, NA-Selank), dihexa (studied for its effects on hepatocyte growth factor and cognitive function in animal models), and the bioregulatory peptides cortagen and pinealon. Cerebrolysin — a porcine brain-derived peptide preparation — sits in an unusual position: it’s used clinically in parts of Europe and Asia for stroke and traumatic brain injury but lacks FDA approval and has mixed results in Western-standard randomised trials.
All Compounds
12 compounds tracked in cognitive & neuroprotection. Sort by any column. Filter by classification.
| Compound | Classification | Evidence ↑ | Jurisdictions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trofinetide | Approved | AGrade A | USEUCA |
| Cerebrolysin | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| FGL | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| P21 | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Selank | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Semax | Research | CGrade C | USEUCA |
| Cortagen | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| Dihexa | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| Pinealon | Research | DGrade D | USEUCA |
| NA-Selank | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| NA-Semax | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
| PE-22-28 | Research | EGrade E | USEUCA |
What the Evidence Shows
Approved Compounds
1 compound in this research area has received regulatory approval in at least one major jurisdiction. These compounds have completed the full regulatory review process, including Phase 3 clinical trials and post-marketing surveillance. Their documented benefits are referenced from licensed labelling only.
Research Compounds
11 compounds in this area exist at the research stage — studied in preclinical settings including animal models and in-vitro experiments, without formal regulatory approval or active clinical programmes. The evidence for these compounds is primarily preclinical, and claims about their effects should be evaluated accordingly.