Peptides for Cognitive & Neuroprotection
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Medically reviewed by a licensed medical professional
12
Compounds
1
Approved
0
In Trials
11
Research
10
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 | BGrade B | 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.