How Cortagen works
A four-amino-acid brain peptide backed mainly by animal work and unverified patent claims.
Also called: Kortagen, AEDP, Ala-Glu-Asp-Pro.
Khavinson bioregulator peptides · Synthetic brain-cortex tetrapeptide.
Laboratory studies suggest effects on nerve growth, gene activity and electrical signaling in nerve cells. Findings depend on the model and concentration. None establishes how Cortagen works in a person or whether it reaches the brain at useful levels.
- Gene expression and chromatin: Mouse-heart and donor-cell experiments found changes in gene activity and DNA packing.
- Nerve-cell ion currents: Isolated mollusk neurons showed concentration-dependent electrical effects, including inhibition at high concentrations.
Half-life: Unknown in humans.
Related to Cortagen
- Epitalon: A peptide with telomerase effects in cells, but no proof that people live longer.
- Pinealon: A peptide with unproven brain benefits and no established injection dose.
- Thymalin: A calf thymus extract studied for immune problems, with uncertain safety and product identity.
- Thymogen: A Russian peptide used for immune problems, with negative cancer trials.
- Vesugen: An experimental blood-vessel peptide with unclear benefits and poorly defined safety.
Sources
- 21 CFR 216.23 — Bulk drug substances that can be used to compound drug products in accordance with section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act., Office of the Federal Register · eCFR · 2026
- 503B Bulk Drug Substances List, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503A of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, US Food and Drug Administration · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Used in Compounding Under Section 503A of the FD&C Act, FDA · FDA · 2026
- Find product information about medicines, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency · MHRA · 2026
- Medicines, European Medicines Agency · European Medicines Agency · 2026
- The Prohibited List, World Anti-Doping Agency · World Anti-Doping Agency · 2026
- Think twice before injecting peptides bought online: unauthorized products can seriously harm you, Health Canada · Health Canada · 2026
- Understanding your responsibilities when importing, compounding and supplying unapproved peptide products, Therapeutic Goods Administration · Therapeutic Goods Administration · 2026
- Bulk Drug Substances Nominated for Use in Compounding Under Section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, FDA · FDA · 2025
- Anaphylaxis, National Library of Medicine
- Drugs@FDA: FDA-Approved Drugs, US Food and Drug Administration
- First Aid for Seizures, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Heart Attack, National Library of Medicine
- Sepsis, National Library of Medicine
Sources checked: 2026-10-18.
Information only, not medical advice. Peptifacts does not sell anything and does not link to sellers.