Dihexa

Dihexa is a peptide derivative designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and promote neuron growth. It was developed by Washington State University for neurodegenerative diseases. Limited human data available.

PubMed results: 17 · Human studies: 8 · Animal studies: 12

Ranges reflect protocols studied in published research and animal-model extrapolation. Presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation or instruction for human use.

Doses studied in published research. Information presented for research purposes only, not a recommendation for human use.

• Oral — standard range 0.5–2 mg/kg, Study-dependent (acute/behavioral paradigms). Rat cognitive research (McCoy et al., 2013 and related AngIV-analog work): oral gavage roughly 0.25–2 mg/kg in scopolamine and learning models; high oral 2 mg/kg reported to reverse scopolamine deficits. Steep preclinical dose-response; no established human clinical dose.
• Intravenous — standard range 10 mg/kg (PK study), Single-dose PK. Rat IV PK used 10 mg/kg for circulating half-life characterization. Not a human dosing protocol.

12.7 days (rat IV, preclinical) (moderate confidence)

McCoy et al. (JPET, 2013): adult male Sprague-Dawley rats given 10 mg/kg dihexa IV; noncompartmental plasma t½ reported as 12.68 days (~18,256 min). IP t½ reported ~8.8 days in the same work. Not established in humans.

• Synaptogenic and neurotrophic research effects (Strong preclinical): Preclinical work originating from Washington State University research programs reported that Dihexa promotes synapse formation and neuron growth-related endpoints at potencies described as exceeding some reference neurotrophic agents in animal models
• Blood–brain barrier permeability (Strong preclinical): Dihexa was designed as a peptide-derived small molecule intended to cross the blood–brain barrier, enabling central nervous system target engagement in neurodegenerative disease research models
• Cognitive performance in disease models (Strong preclinical): Animal studies have examined Dihexa in models relevant to Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative conditions for effects on learning and memory behavioral measures

• No established human adverse-event profile — Mild, Not established. Limited human data means side effects are not well characterized in published clinical literature; safety conclusions remain largely preclinical

• Active cancer or pro-growth pathology (Theoretical / Preclinical): Neurotrophic and pro-synaptogenic mechanisms raise theoretical concern about unrestricted growth signaling in neoplastic settings
• Insufficient human safety characterization (Theoretical / Preclinical): Absence of robust human trials means contraindications are extrapolated from mechanism rather than established clinical labeling

Lyophilized (powder): Refrigerated (2-8°C), Up to 24 months. Light sensitive: yes, store dark

Reconstituted (solution): Refrigerated (2-8°C), 4-6 weeks. Solvent: Bacteriostatic water