Cellular signaling
1In female mice, five days of treatment changed 234 of 15,247 measured cardiac transcript clones, corresponding to 110 genes. This establishes a laboratory signal, not a clinical benefit.
Mind & sleep
Cortagen
AEDP tetrapeptide
Lab studiesCell signaling1
No FDA-approved product identified for this exact research entry in the targeted review.
What does it do?
AEDP tetrapeptide investigated in animals and isolated human cells; distinct from AEDR Cardiogen and the Cortexin extract.
Approved & studied uses
Community uses Reported, unvalidated
Nerves
17Rat peripheral regeneration, cerebral-ischemia behavior and oxidative injury.
Cognition / aging
17Cortex-biogenesis and chromatin claims derive partly from elderly lymphocytes, not neurons or treated patients.
Reasons people report using it; these do not establish benefit.17
Evidence limits
View research →No controlled human benefit or pharmacokinetic study was verified for this exact tetrapeptide.1
2 distinct primary sources or abstracts checked. Evidence may concern a parent compound, individual blend ingredient, animal, or cell model; it does not necessarily establish a benefit for this exact product.
Evidence definitions →Key safety information
All risks →Evidence limitation
Mouse gene-expression changes cannot establish a safe dose or clinical benefit in people.1
No FDA-approved product identified for this exact research entry in the targeted review.
Molecular information
Amino-acid sequence
- Ala
- Glu
- Asp
- Pro
4 residues · N → C2
Length4 amino acids
Molecular weight · Da430.4 Da
Formula, sequence notation & identity
Molecular formulaC17H26N4O92
A–E–D–PAla-Glu-Asp-Pro (AEDP)
Free peptide identity; salt and formulation can change product mass.
Pep-Pedia identity details
4 amino acids (tetrapeptide) · 430.41 Da
Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro (H-A-E-D-P-OH)Reference description; checked chemical identity above takes precedence when available.17
Pharmacokinetics
How long does it stay in the body?
Class inferenceNot independently confirmed
Reference half-life5 min16
Route / formulationSource page: Injectable. Exact PK route not verified.
The source identifies this as a class-level inference, not a measured half-life for this compound.
50%of reference level
Illustrative scenario using an unverified reference estimate.
About 3% remaining after 25 min
Five half-lives in this estimated model. This is not a prediction of when effects stop.
Evidence and model details
Population: Not established by the reference estimate
Source’s stated attribution: Class-level inference for unmodified linear tetrapeptides
Source’s reported peak time: 0 min. This has not been independently confirmed and is not used in the elimination curve.
100 × 2−time / half-life. Time zero is a reference level, not the moment of administration. Absorption, repeated dosing, metabolites and clinical effects are not modeled. Five half-lives leaves 3.125%, not zero. This curve cannot determine a dosing interval.
What to expect
Study outcomes
Mouse gene-expression experiment
In female mice, five days of treatment changed 234 of 15,247 measured cardiac transcript clones, corresponding to 110 genes. This establishes a laboratory signal, not a clinical benefit.1
Reported timelines
Reference & community10 days in rats
Measured nerve changes; no human subjective or treatment timeline established.17
These are reported timelines, not a prediction of your response.
Community poll 10 topics · Pep-Pedia snapshot
Voluntary, unverified reports. These percentages do not measure effectiveness or safety.
Effectiveness
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Experience
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Duration of use
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Age range
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Gender
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Primary goal
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Side effects
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Dosage frequency
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Would recommend
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
How discovered
Number of responses to this question: not disclosed.
Source & limitations
The source displays “10 responses” for this profile. This is not a confirmed participant count or a denominator for individual questions.
- Voluntary self-reports from Pep-Pedia visitors; identity, treatment, outcomes and timing are unverified. These data are not efficacy or safety estimates.
- The source displays a profile-wide response label, not a confirmed unique participant count. It stays unchanged across questions. Question-specific denominators and absolute option counts are not exposed.
- Only the top five categories are displayed for some questions. Extra categories are retained as an undisplayed-category count; their labels and percentages are unavailable.
- Displayed percentages are rounded. They may not total 100%, especially where categories are hidden.
- This is a dated snapshot, not a live survey or current recommendation.
Protocols
Doses & schedules
Compare purpose, amount, route, frequency, and duration.
Scroll to compare all columns →
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Goal / evidence | Duration | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SubQ | 200-400 mcg | Daily for 10-20 days; repeat after 3-6 months | Community Protocol (Anecdotal, no peer-reviewed support)Reference report | 10-20 days | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
No protocols match these filters.
Study and label doses retain their study context. Reference reports are unvalidated practices, not personal treatment instructions. Ranges remain ranges; escalation stages are labeled.
Reported use periods and breaks. These do not establish a safe cycle or prove that breaks prevent tolerance.
Injectable
- Use period
- 10-20 days
- Break
- 3-6 months between cycles
Reported timing
Morning administration
Animal and cell protocols 2
Laboratory exposures cannot establish a human dose.
Route
Scroll to compare all columns →
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Goal / evidence | Duration | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unspecified | Not specified | Daily | Cardiac gene-expression responseAnimals | Five days | 1 |
Population Six-month-old female CBA mice Context Preclinical microarray experiment; no human dose conversion. Route information Injection; route not specified in abstract | |||||
| IMIM (intramuscular) | 10 mcg/kg IM | Daily for 10 days post-nerve injury | Research Protocol (Rat Nerve Regeneration Model)Reference report | 10-20 days | 17 |
Population Population not independently verified; see the reference and linked research. Context Reported in Pep-Pedia’s educational protocol table. Study attribution and applicability to this exact product are not independently established. Source tabs Injectable | |||||
No protocols match these filters.
Side effects & safety
Evidence limitation
Mouse gene-expression changes cannot establish a safe dose or clinical benefit in people.
1Evidence limitation
Long-term toxicity and interactions of research Cortagen were not established by this experiment.
1Symptoms
Injection infection, persistent inflammation, unexpected neurological symptoms or allergy need assessment.
Evidence
No dedicated human safety trial; absent reported animal harms is not proven safety. Pregnancy/lactation unstudied.
Not a complete safety screen. Discuss health decisions with a qualified clinician.
Combinations & interactions
9 entriesCheck cautions and reported pairings. A compatibility claim does not establish that a combination is safe.
Cardiogen
Caution reportedAEDR differs from AEDP; verify identity.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: Use CautionCerebrolysin
Caution reportedOverlapping neurological targets.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: Use CautionAnticoagulants
Caution reportedNo data for warfarin, DOACs or antiplatelets.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: Monitor CombinationPinealon
Unverified pairingNo combination study.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: SynergisticEpitalon
Unverified pairingShared ex vivo experiments do not validate co-use.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: CompatibleLivagen
Unverified pairingShared ex vivo experiments do not validate co-use.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: CompatibleThymalin
Unverified pairingNo interaction data.17
Reference report · Pep-Pedia label: CompatibleDonepezil / Rivastigmine
Unverified pairingNo interaction studies.17
Reference report · Evidence context: UnknownOther medicines or peptides
Not establishedNo exact-product human interaction study was verified; lack of evidence is not evidence of safety.3
Research contextNo matching interactions. Try another name or filter.
Reconstitution
No product-specific preparation or stability instruction was verified. A dilution calculation does not establish suitability for injection.3
Reference preparation details
Reported handling information, not a validated formulation or instruction to prepare an injectable product.
Injectable
Pep-Pedia says the preparation conventions are inferred from related short peptides, without published human PK.
- Solvents mentioned
- 0.9% sterile sodium chloride / Bacteriostatic water
- Reported parameters
- Dry powder: reported 2–8°C. · Mixed solution: the source specifies same-day use and no storage.
The source describes gentle mixing and avoiding vigorous shaking.
Appearance & documentation
Appearance and a purity certificate cannot establish sterility, identity, or suitability for injection.
Reported appearanceWhite Lyophilized PowderReported appearanceClear Reconstituted SolutionReported appearanceHPLC Purity and Sequence ConfirmationReported variationVerify Sequence: AEDP Not AEDRReported variationNo Confirmed Russian Oral Capsule ProductReported concernCloudy or Discolored Reconstituted Solution
17Available forms
No verified packaging examples included.
Packaging examples, not a market survey. Approved and research products are not interchangeable.
Storage after mixing
Reconstituted research vials
Pep-Pedia reports these handling limits after mixing. They are not validated stability or sterility limits for your vial.
Full storage notes from Pep-Pedia
17Lyophilized: 2-8°C. Reconstituted: use same day; no storage.
Storage depends on the formulation, diluent, container, and handling. Follow the specific product label or pharmacist’s instructions.
Research findings
PreclinicalCompound identity & other names
Cortagen is the sequence Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro. Research includes neural injury models and cellular gene-expression experiments; a human treatment trial was not verified.
No FDA-approved product identified for this exact research entry in the targeted review.
How it may work
Gene regulation, antioxidant effects and chromatin remodeling are proposed; no established human brain effect.17
Mouse gene-expression experiment
In female mice, five days of treatment changed 234 of 15,247 measured cardiac transcript clones, corresponding to 110 genes. This establishes a laboratory signal, not a clinical benefit.
1Research areas and evidence gaps
Cellular signaling. In female mice, five days of treatment changed 234 of 15,247 measured cardiac transcript clones, corresponding to 110 genes. This establishes a laboratory signal, not a clinical benefit.1
- No controlled human benefit or pharmacokinetic study was verified for this exact tetrapeptide.
- A product-specific research-vial quantity was not independently verified in this review.
Community reports Unvalidated
Pep-Pedia discusses neural repair research.3
Editorial summary, not a measured community survey, clinical protocol or recommendation.
Search coverage and review status
Checked the original mouse gene-expression experiment. An apparently recent online record describes a 2013 preclinical paper, not a new clinical trial.
- Checked
- 2026-10-12
- Search
- "Cortagen" peptide study 2025 2026
- Catalog
- Pep-Pedia ↗ · 12 listed references retained
- Targeted search and selected primary-source checks, not an exhaustive systematic review.
- Preserved bibliography entries marked unreviewed have not had their findings independently verified.
AI-prepared summaries. Independent medical editorial review is pending.
References
Original sources and review status. Open a reference to read its summary.
1Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarrayAbstract checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Female mice received Cortagen for five days; the study measured cardiac gene-expression changes, not recovery or cognition in patients.
Mouse gene-expression experiment
In female mice, five days of treatment changed 234 of 15,247 measured cardiac transcript clones, corresponding to 110 genes. This establishes a laboratory signal, not a clinical benefit.
Additional research · Checked 2026-10-12
2PubChem: Ala-Glu-Asp-ProPrimary source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Chemical registry entry for the AEDP tetrapeptide.
Additional research · Checked 2026-10-12
3Pep-Pedia: CortagenCommunity source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Secondary editorial profile and reported practices; not clinical validation.
4Sciatic Nerve Regeneration in Rats (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2000)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: After rat sciatic-nerve repair, growth rate was reported as 27% higher and conduction velocity 40% higher than untreated controls.
Reported population / model
Wistar rat
Reported study details
10 mcg/kg IM x 10 days · Post-nerve transection · +27% growth rate, +40% conduction velocity
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
5Ischemic Brain Protection in Rats (Eksp Klin Farmakol, 2011)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Cortagen and Cortexin improved behavior and reduced excess brain lipid oxidation in rat ischemia experiments; they are different preparations.
Reported population / model
Rat
Reported study details
Chronic cerebral ischemia model · Cortagen vs. Cortexin · Behavioral recovery + antioxidant
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
6Antioxidant Effects of AEDP Tetrapeptide (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2007)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Rat tissues showed less lipid and protein oxidation after injections, together with lower antioxidant-enzyme activity; a similar pattern occurred with Epitalon.
Reported population / model
Wistar rat
Reported study details
IM injection · Lipid peroxidation endpoints · Reduced LPO products and protein oxidation
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
7Chromatin Remodeling in Elderly Human Lymphocytes (Bull Exp Biol Med, 2004)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Five peptides altered chromatin packing and ribosomal-gene activity in elderly-donor leukocytes; tissue-specific clinical benefit was not measured.
Reported population / model
Human ex vivo
Reported study details
Donors aged 75-88 · Panel of 5 Khavinson peptides · Heterochromatin decondensation
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
8Cardiac Gene Expression by Microarray (Neuro Endocrinol Lett, 2004)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Mouse heart tissue showed changes in 234 cDNA signals covering 110 known genes after five days, despite Cortagen's proposed neurological target.
Reported population / model
CBA female mice
Reported study details
5-day Cortagen course · Microarray · 234 gene expression changes in heart
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
9Epigenetic Modification of Aged Chromatin (Georgian Med News, 2023)Pep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Elderly-donor lymphocytes showed selective chromatin changes after several peptides; the report does not establish improved cognition or aging outcomes.
Reported population / model
Human ex vivo
Reported study details
Donors aged 75-88 · Lezhava-Jokhadze group · Selective heterochromatin remodeling
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
10Effect of tetrapeptide cortagen on regeneration of sciatic nervePep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: After rat sciatic-nerve repair, growth rate was reported as 27% higher and conduction velocity 40% higher than untreated controls.
Reported population / model
Wistar rat
Reported study details
10 mcg/kg IM x 10 days · Post-nerve transection · +27% growth rate, +40% conduction velocity
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
11Cortexin and cortagen as correcting agents in functional and metabolic disorders in the brain in chronic ischemiaPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Cortagen and Cortexin improved behavior and reduced excess brain lipid oxidation in rat ischemia experiments; they are different preparations.
Reported population / model
Rat
Reported study details
Chronic cerebral ischemia model · Cortagen vs. Cortexin · Behavioral recovery + antioxidant
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
12Effects of bioactive tetrapeptides on free-radical processesPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Rat tissues showed less lipid and protein oxidation after injections, together with lower antioxidant-enzyme activity; a similar pattern occurred with Epitalon.
Reported population / model
Wistar rat
Reported study details
IM injection · Lipid peroxidation endpoints · Reduced LPO products and protein oxidation
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
13Effects of short peptides on lymphocyte chromatin in senile subjectsPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Five peptides altered chromatin packing and ribosomal-gene activity in elderly-donor leukocytes; tissue-specific clinical benefit was not measured.
Reported population / model
Human ex vivo
Reported study details
Donors aged 75-88 · Panel of 5 Khavinson peptides · Heterochromatin decondensation
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
14Elucidation of the effect of brain cortex tetrapeptide Cortagen on gene expression in mouse heart by microarrayPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Mouse heart tissue showed changes in 234 cDNA signals covering 110 known genes after five days, despite Cortagen's proposed neurological target.
Reported population / model
CBA female mice
Reported study details
5-day Cortagen course · Microarray · 234 gene expression changes in heart
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
15Epigenetic modification under the influence of peptide bioregulators on old chromatinPep-Pedia report · Primary source not checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Pep-Pedia reports: Elderly-donor lymphocytes showed selective chromatin changes after several peptides; the report does not establish improved cognition or aging outcomes.
Reported population / model
Human ex vivo
Reported study details
Donors aged 75-88 · Lezhava-Jokhadze group · Selective heterochromatin remodeling
Reported by Pep-Pedia; the linked publication, design, doses and result have not been independently verified here.
Read the Pep-Pedia report ↗Pep-Pedia reference card; original summary of its reported findings · Checked 2026-10-12
16Pep-Pedia: Cortagen — reported pharmacokineticsReference estimate; not independently verified human PKCommunity source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Lists a half-life of 5 min and a peak time of 0 min. Stated attribution: Class-level inference for unmodified linear tetrapeptides. The source identifies this as a class-level inference, not a measured half-life for this compound. Five half-lives is not complete clearance, and the source’s “cleared” value is not used as a measured endpoint.
Secondary reference page checked; the underlying quantitative claim is not independently confirmed. · Checked 2026-10-12
17Pep-Pedia: Cortagen — route-specific referenceReference page checked; underlying claims require separate verification.Community source checked
AI-PREPARED SUMMARY
Source page checked across available routes. Protocols, cycles, storage, mechanisms and pairing claims are secondary reports; checking the page does not independently validate those claims. Original concise summaries are used here.
Content coverage audit · Checked 2026-10-12