GABAergic regulation
Animal research indicates that Selank alters the expression of genes involved in GABA-related neurotransmission; indirect allosteric modulation has been proposed rather than simple direct receptor activation.
P—13 • Investigational profile
Selank
A concise educational overview of an investigational tuftsin-derived peptide studied across anxiety, stress response, neurotransmitter signaling, learning, and memory.
Name
Selank
Also known as TP-7; amino-acid sequence: Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro
- Scientific classification
- Synthetic regulatory heptapeptide and tuftsin analogue with a Pro-Gly-Pro extension
- Library family
- Neuroactive
- Research status
- Investigational, with limited human research and broader animal and laboratory evidence
- Regulatory status
- Not FDA approved in the United States; FDA identifies compounded Selank acetate as presenting potential immunogenicity concerns and notes that important human safety information is lacking
Compound overview
A neuroactive research peptide developed from the natural immune-regulatory peptide tuftsin.
Selank is primarily investigated for its relationship with anxiety regulation, stress response, neurotransmitter signaling, learning, and memory.
Its research is especially notable because it explores whether peptide-based signaling can influence anxiety-related pathways without functioning exactly like a traditional benzodiazepine.
Mechanism under study
Multi-pathway neuroactive signaling
Selank appears to influence interconnected GABAergic, neurotrophic, enkephalin, and monoamine pathways rather than acting through one confirmed receptor target.
Neurotrophic signaling
Intranasal Selank affected hippocampal BDNF expression in rats, supporting continued investigation into neuroplasticity and memory-related pathways.
Enkephalin and monoamine pathways
Laboratory and preclinical findings suggest effects on enkephalin degradation and serotonin metabolism that may contribute to its wider neuroactive profile.
These mechanisms remain under investigation and have not been fully established in humans.
Current research areas
Questions under investigation
- Anxiety and stress-response regulation
- GABAergic neurotransmission
- Learning and memory consolidation
- BDNF and neuroplasticity
- Enkephalin and monoamine signaling
Evidence summary
Reported neurobehavioral research findings
- Anxiety-related outcomes: A randomized comparative study involving 62 participants reported changes in anxiety measures comparable to medazepam within the studied population.
- Stress and functional response: The same study reported encouraging antiasthenic and psychostimulant findings alongside its anxiety-related results.
- Memory consolidation: Animal research found that Selank strengthened memory retention in a conditioned-learning model, with effects observed during follow-up testing.
- Neuroplasticity potential: Rat studies connect Selank with BDNF regulation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex.
- Distinctive peptide pathway: Selank provides a research model for studying anxiety-related signaling through regulatory peptides rather than conventional sedative mechanisms.
These findings support continued investigation, but much of the evidence remains preclinical. The available human research is limited and does not yet establish broad clinical effectiveness or long-term safety.
Educational notice
Education, not usage guidance.
This profile is provided for scientific education only. It is not medical advice, prescribing guidance, dosing information, or instructions for Selank use. Selank is not FDA approved in the United States. FDA reports that compounded Selank acetate may present immunogenicity concerns related to aggregation and peptide impurities and notes that important human safety information is lacking. Products sold online or prepared through compounding should not be assumed to match the identity, purity, safety, or evidence associated with material used in published research.
Key scientific referencesComing soon
A curated primary-source reference list will be added during the next educational expansion.