Cognitive & Neuro

Dihexa

Also known as N-hexanoic-Tyr-Ile-(6) aminohexanoic amide · PNB-0408 · Angiotensin IV analog

PreliminaryOralSubcutaneous injectionTransdermalNot FDA-approved; no completed human trials; sold as a research chemical; carries an unresolved theoretical oncogenesis concern via HGF/c-Met activation, lacks long-term safety data, and several key mechanistic papers have been retracted

Dihexa is a modified dipeptide derived from angiotensin IV, developed at Washington State University and originally proposed as a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mimic. Its proposed mechanism was potentiation of HGF and its receptor c-Met, suggested to drive dendritic spine formation and synaptic plasticity in preclinical models. Several foundational papers underpinning the HGF/c-Met mechanism were formally retracted in 2025 following findings of image data manipulation, so the originally claimed mechanism is now in question. Reported rodent data described improved memory in aged and scopolamine-impaired animals, but human safety and efficacy data are absent.

Studied / used for

studied in rodent models for memory and synapse formation
explored in preclinical work for neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits
previously associated with an HGF/c-Met synaptic-plasticity mechanism that has since been called into question by retractions

Commonly reported side effects

headache
fatigue
limited human safety data, so the side-effect profile is poorly characterized

Preliminary. Mostly early or animal studies. This reflects the strength of the research base, not effectiveness or a recommendation.

Not medical advice.

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