Family · cognitive

P21

P021, Ac-DGGL(A)G-NH2 (ciliary-neurotrophic-factor–derived peptidergic compound)

Research useEducational entry

Mechanism

Small peptide mimetic derived by epitope mapping from the active region of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), adamantylated for blood–brain-barrier penetration and metabolic stability; reported in preclinical models to promote hippocampal neurogenesis and increase BDNF expression.

Evidence

Preclinical only. Cognition, neurogenesis and tau/Aβ endpoints have been studied in rodent models (e.g. 3xTg-AD and Ts65Dn). No human clinical trials have been conducted; efficacy and safety in humans are unknown.

Applications

Alzheimer's-disease rodent models (research)
Neurogenesis and synaptic-plasticity research
Down-syndrome (Ts65Dn) model research

Protocol

Educational overview only — no dosing instructions in the public hub.

Risks

No human safety data whatsoever; entirely investigational; sourcing/purity is the main practical risk. Preclinical animal findings do not predict human outcomes.

Quality

Third-party CoA (purity + quantification + MS) is the minimum verification; a research compound with no human characterization.

Legal status

Research-use-only; unapproved investigational compound with no marketing authorization anywhere.

Studies

Disease-modifying effect of chronic oral treatment with a neurotrophic peptidergic compound in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (Kazim et al., Neurobiol Dis 2014) ↗Neurotrophic treatment initiated during early postnatal development prevents the Alzheimer-like behavior and synaptic dysfunction (Neurobiol Dis 2021) ↗

✓ Last reviewed · 2026-07-21

Frequently asked questions

What is P21 used for?: Alzheimer's-disease rodent models (research). Neurogenesis and synaptic-plasticity research. Down-syndrome (Ts65Dn) model research. Preclinical only. Cognition, neurogenesis and tau/Aβ endpoints have been studied in rodent models (e.g. 3xTg-AD and Ts65Dn). No human clinical trials have been conducted; efficacy and safety in humans are unknown.
Is P21 legal in Europe?: Research-use-only; unapproved investigational compound with no marketing authorization anywhere.
What are the risks and side effects of P21?: No human safety data whatsoever; entirely investigational; sourcing/purity is the main practical risk. Preclinical animal findings do not predict human outcomes.
How is the quality of P21 assessed?: Third-party CoA (purity + quantification + MS) is the minimum verification; a research compound with no human characterization.