Dihexa

N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide

Rank#999
CognitiveNot ApprovedAnimalResearchOralIntranasal

Popular for:Cognitive enhancement, synaptogenesis, HGF/c-Met agonist

17

Total Studies

8

Human Studies

Animal

Evidence Level

Not Approved

FDA Status

Overview

Dihexa (N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide) is a synthetic peptide analog of angiotensin IV developed at Washington State University. It is one of the most potent cognitive-enhancing compounds identified in research, reported to be approximately 10 million times more potent than BDNF at promoting synaptic connectivity.

Dihexa was designed as a stable, orally bioavailable hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor agonist. Research has focused on its potential for treating cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline, primarily in animal models.

Mechanism of Action

Dihexa acts as a potent agonist of the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) / c-Met receptor system in the brain. Activation of c-Met signaling promotes synaptogenesis (formation of new synaptic connections), dendritic spine growth, and neuronal survival. This mechanism is distinct from and potentially complementary to other neurotrophic pathways (BDNF, NGF).

Key Research Benefits

Reported 10 million times more potent than BDNF for synaptic connectivity
Orally bioavailable (rare for cognitive peptides)
Studied for age-related cognitive decline in animal models
Promotes synaptogenesis and dendritic spine growth
Novel HGF/c-Met mechanism distinct from other nootropics

Clinical Evidence Summary

Research Pipeline

Preclinical
Animal
Phase I
Phase II
Phase III
Approved

17

Total Studies

8

Human Studies

Not FDA-approved. Pre-clinical research compound. Developed at Washington State University. No human clinical trials. The HGF/c-Met pathway has oncogenic implications that require careful evaluation.

Key Studies / PubMed References

Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Review

Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA · Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Global research & reviews · 2026

PMID: 41490200

Effects of an Angiotensin IV Analog on 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Huntington's Disease-Like Symptoms in Rats.

Animal Study

Wells RG, Azzam AF, Hiller AL, et al. · Journal of Huntington's disease · 2024

PMID: 38489193

Efficiently generate functional hepatic cells from human pluripotent stem cells by complete small-molecule strategy.

In Vitro

Pan T, Wang N, Zhang J, et al. · Stem cell research & therapy · 2022

PMID: 35410439

Stem cell, Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor and/or Dihexa to promote limb function recovery in a rat sciatic nerve damage-repair model: Experimental animal studies.

Animal Study

Weiss JB, Phillips CJ, Malin EW, et al. · Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2021

PMID: 34703584

AngIV-Analog Dihexa Rescues Cognitive Impairment and Recovers Memory in the APP/PS1 Mouse via the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway.

In Vitro

Sun X, Deng Y, Fu X, et al. · Brain sciences · 2021

PMID: 34827486

Side Effects & Safety

Very limited safety data (primarily animal research)
Potential oncogenic concerns (HGF/c-Met pathway involved in cancer)
Long-term effects unknown
No human clinical trials completed

Known Interactions

No curated interaction entry is live for Dihexa yet.

Until the interaction table is fully populated, use the interaction checker and related peptides below to explore adjacent compounds and likely research pairings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research Disclaimer

This page is for research and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on published scientific literature and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Dihexa is not approved by the FDA for human therapeutic use. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any health-related decisions. The studies referenced are linked to their original PubMed sources for verification.