PACAP-38 vs NPY
Head-to-head comparison of PACAP-38 (Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38)) and NPY (Neuropeptide Y) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.
| Property | PACAP-38 | NPY |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive Enhancement | Cognitive Enhancement |
| Full Name | Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide-38 (human PACAP-38) | Neuropeptide Y |
| Molecular Weight | 4534 Da | 4272 Da |
| Half-Life | minutes | minutes |
| Amino Acids | 38 aa | 36 aa |
| Typical Dose | 10-100 µg preclinical range | 1-10 µg preclinical range |
| Route | Intranasal | Intranasal |
| Purity | ≥98% | ≥98% |
| Studies Count | 650 | 900 |
| Research Status | Pre-clinical | Pre-clinical |
PACAP-38 Benefits
- ✓synaptic plasticity
- ✓BDNF upregulation
- ✓neuroprotection
- ✓memory consolidation
NPY Benefits
- ✓stress resilience
- ✓hippocampal protection
- ✓memory modulation
- ✓anti-excitotoxic signaling
PACAP-38 Dosing
0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|10-100 µg intranasal in preclinical studies|single-dose or short repeated protocols
NPY Dosing
0.1-1 nmol ICV in rodents|1-10 µg intranasal in experimental work|acute or repeated stress-model protocols
PACAP-38 Side Effects
- ⚠headache-like effects
- ⚠flushing
- ⚠hypotension
NPY Side Effects
- ⚠sedation
- ⚠appetite increase
- ⚠blood pressure changes
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.
NPY
NPY has been shown in animal studies to protect neurons from excitotoxic injury and to dampen stress-linked cognitive impairment. It is often discussed as a counterbalance to overactive glutamatergic and stress pathways in the brain.
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