NA-Selank Amidate vs Davunetide
Comprehensive side-by-side comparison of mechanisms, dosing, side effects, and research
Also: N-Acetyl Selank Amidate, NA-Selank
NA-Selank Amidate is a chemically stabilized version of Selank, a Russian anxiolytic peptide derived from the immune fragment tuftsin. The acetyl group on one end and the amide on the other are there to slow enzymatic breakdown, which is a real and sensible modification. What has not been established is whether that translates into a meaningfully better result than plain Selank in humans.
Also: NAP, AL-108
Davunetide (NAP) is an eight-amino-acid fragment (NAPVSIPQ) of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP), discovered at Tel Aviv University and given as a nasal spray. It was meant to protect brain cells by stabilizing microtubules, the scaffolding that tau normally supports. Its big test, a phase 2/3 trial in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), failed cleanly in 2012, and development stalled. It has since been revived by its inventors, who argue it works in women and are pursuing ADNP syndrome, but those claims rest on reanalyses of old data, not a new successful trial.
Key Comparison Insights
- Both peptides belong to the Cognitive category, suggesting similar primary applications.
Detailed Comparison
| Attribute | NA-Selank Amidate | Davunetide |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Cognitive | Cognitive |
| FDA Status | Not FDA Approved | Not FDA Approved |
| Clinical Status | Pre I II III IV FDA | Pre I II III IV FDA |
| Mechanism of Action | Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin, a naturally occurring immunomodulatory peptide fragment. Its reported mechanism has two strands. The first is modulation of GABAergic signalling, which is the basis of its anxiolytic reputation, achieved without the sedation, tolerance or dependence associated with benzodiazepines. The second is an effect on the balance of monoamines and on BDNF expression, which is where the cognitive and mood claims come from. It also retains some of tuftsin's immunomodulatory activity, including effects on interleukin expression. The N-acetylation and C-terminal amidation in this version block the exopeptidases that would otherwise clip the peptide quickly, extending how long it survives after administration. That is a pharmacokinetic change, not a new mechanism. | NAP comes from ADNP, a protein essential for brain development. In cell and animal studies it interacts with microtubule end-binding proteins (EB1 and EB3), promoting microtubule stability and reducing tau phosphorylation, which is why it was aimed at tauopathies like PSP and Alzheimer's disease. Mutations in the ADNP gene itself cause ADNP syndrome (Helsmoortel-Van der Aa syndrome), and in ADNP-deficient mice NAP improved some behavioral and neural measures, the rationale for that newer program. The PSP trial did not include target-engagement measures, so it never showed the drug was actually doing this in human brains. |
| Common Dosing | 250-500 mcg daily Once or twice daily | 30 mg intranasal twice daily (PSP trial dose) Once or twice daily |
| Administration | Intranasal is the standard route. Subcutaneous is reported but less common. | Intranasal spray (an IV form, AL-208, was tested in cardiac surgery) |
| Typical Duration | Community protocols commonly report 2-4 weeks, though Selank's clinical use does not indicate a dependence risk requiring cycling | 12 weeks to 52 weeks in trials |
| Best Time to Take | Morning or split across the day | Twice daily (trial schedule) |
Possible Side Effects May vary by individual |
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| Research Summary | Selank itself has a real research base, almost all of it Russian, including clinical work in generalised anxiety disorder where it performed comparably to benzodiazepines without the sedation and withdrawal profile, plus animal work supporting the BDNF and monoamine effects. That literature is genuine but it is largely published in Russian journals, has not been replicated in large Western trials, and has not been through FDA or EMA assessment. The amidate variant specifically has essentially no independent published pharmacology. The stability argument is chemically sound and is the same modification used across many research peptides, but nobody has published a human comparison showing it outperforms standard Selank at equivalent doses. Treat the parent compound's evidence as real but geographically narrow, and the variant's advantage as plausible rather than demonstrated. | The headline result is negative. In the phase 2/3 PSP trial (Boxer and colleagues, Lancet Neurology 2014), 313 patients got 30 mg intranasal davunetide twice daily or placebo for 52 weeks. Disease progression was identical in both groups on both primary measures (PSP Rating Scale and Schwab and England daily living scale), and the authors concluded davunetide is not an effective treatment for PSP. Earlier phase 2 work was mixed: a 12-week trial in 144 people with amnestic mild cognitive impairment hinted at working-memory benefits, and a schizophrenia trial missed one co-primary endpoint while hitting another. The original developer, Allon Therapeutics, stopped investing and was later absorbed by Paladin Labs. The revival comes from the inventor's group: post hoc reanalyses of the PSP data (Translational Psychiatry 2023, Molecular Psychiatry 2026) report that women declined faster than men and that davunetide slowed decline in women only. A similar sex-split reanalysis of the MCI trial was published in 2024. These findings are interesting but are subgroup analyses of trials that failed overall, done by researchers tied to the company now developing the drug (ExoNavis Therapeutics), so they need a new prospective trial to mean much. ExoNavis has said a phase 3 in children with ADNP syndrome began in 2024, but Alzforum could not find it in trial registries. Davunetide holds FDA orphan and rare pediatric disease designations and EMA orphan status for ADNP syndrome. |
Frequently Asked Questions: NA-Selank Amidate vs Davunetide
What is the difference between NA-Selank Amidate and Davunetide?
NA-Selank Amidate is a cognitive peptide that na-selank amidate is a chemically stabilized version of selank, a russian anxiolytic peptide derived from the immune fragment tuftsin. the acetyl group on one end and the amide on the other are there to slow enzymatic breakdown, which is a real and sensible modification. what has not been established is whether that translates into a meaningfully better result than plain selank in humans. Davunetide is a cognitive peptide that davunetide (nap) is an eight-amino-acid fragment (napvsipq) of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (adnp), discovered at tel aviv university and given as a nasal spray. it was meant to protect brain cells by stabilizing microtubules, the scaffolding that tau normally supports. its big test, a phase 2/3 trial in progressive supranuclear palsy (psp), failed cleanly in 2012, and development stalled. it has since been revived by its inventors, who argue it works in women and are pursuing adnp syndrome, but those claims rest on reanalyses of old data, not a new successful trial. The main differences lie in their mechanisms of action and clinical applications.
Which is better, NA-Selank Amidate or Davunetide?
Neither is universally "better" - the choice depends on your specific goals. NA-Selank Amidate is typically used for cognitive purposes, while Davunetide is used for cognitive. Always consult with a healthcare provider to determine which may be appropriate for your situation.
Can NA-Selank Amidate and Davunetide be used together?
Some peptide protocols combine multiple compounds for synergistic effects. However, using NA-Selank Amidate and Davunetide together should only be considered under medical supervision, as both compounds have their own side effect profiles and potential interactions. Research on their combined use may be limited.