PACAP-38 vs NGF
Head-to-head comparison of PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) and NGF (Beta-Nerve Growth Factor (human NGF beta)) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
| Property | PACAP-38 | NGF |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive Enhancement | Cognitive Enhancement |
| Full Name | Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38) | Beta-Nerve Growth Factor (human NGF beta) |
| Molecular Weight | 4534 Da | 13,600 Da |
| Half-Life | minutes | hours |
| Amino Acids | 38 aa | 118 aa |
| Typical Dose | 10-100 µg preclinical range | research-only microgram range |
| Route | Intranasal | Intranasal |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 650 | 3500 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Pre-clinical |
PACAP-38 Benefits
- ✓synaptic plasticity
- ✓BDNF upregulation
- ✓neuroprotection
- ✓memory consolidation
NGF Benefits
- ✓neurite outgrowth
- ✓cholinergic support
- ✓nerve repair
- ✓neuroprotection
PACAP-38 Dosing
0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|10-100 µg intranasal in preclinical studies|single-dose or short repeated protocols
NGF Dosing
0.01-1 µg/kg in experimental delivery studies|local CNS or intranasal research delivery|single or repeated low-dose protocols
PACAP-38 Side Effects
- ⚠headache-like effects
- ⚠flushing
- ⚠hypotension
NGF Side Effects
- ⚠pain at injection site
- ⚠hyperalgesia
- ⚠autonomic effects
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.
NGF
NGF is one of the most established growth factors in neurobiology and has been investigated for both central and peripheral neuronal repair. Its strongest cognitive relevance comes from supporting basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and downstream memory circuitry.
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