PACAP-38 vs Davunetide
Head-to-head comparison of PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) and Davunetide (Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein fragment NAP (NAPVSIPQ)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
Research Score
| Property | PACAP-38 | Davunetide |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive Enhancement | Cognitive Enhancement |
| Full Name | Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38) | Activity-Dependent Neuroprotective Protein fragment NAP (NAPVSIPQ) |
| Molecular Weight | 4534 Da | 796.9 Da |
| Half-Life | minutes | short; minutes to low hours |
| Amino Acids | 38 aa | 8 |
| Typical Dose | 10-100 µg preclinical range | 1-10 mg/day research range |
| Route | Intranasal | Intranasal |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 650 | 40 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Clinical/Pre-clinical |
PACAP-38 Benefits
- ✓synaptic plasticity
- ✓BDNF upregulation
- ✓neuroprotection
- ✓memory consolidation
Davunetide Benefits
- ✓neuroprotection
- ✓microtubule support
- ✓attention support
- ✓memory preservation
PACAP-38 Dosing
0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|10-100 µg intranasal in preclinical studies|single-dose or short repeated protocols
Davunetide Dosing
intranasal research dosing|1-10 mg per dose in trials/preclinical work|once or twice daily
PACAP-38 Side Effects
- ⚠headache-like effects
- ⚠flushing
- ⚠hypotension
Davunetide Side Effects
- ⚠nasal irritation
- ⚠headache
- ⚠limited efficacy in late-stage trials
Research Overview
PACAP-38
PACAP-38 is one of the most studied endogenous neuropeptides for protecting neurons from ischemic and excitotoxic damage. Preclinical literature also links it to hippocampal plasticity and learning-related signaling, including increased BDNF expression.
Davunetide
Preclinical work showed davunetide can protect neurons, preserve synaptic structure, and improve performance in memory tasks. Human trials largely focused on neurodegenerative disease outcomes rather than stand-alone nootropic use, but the literature supports CNS activity.
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