Description
P21-Adamantane is a chemically modified variant of the CNTF mimetic peptide P21 with attached adamantane group. The adamantane modification is an established strategy in medicinal chemistry for raising lipophilicity and improving blood-brain barrier penetration.
Per study reports the adamantane group brings three theoretical advantages over pure P21:
- Increased lipophilicity with better CNS penetration
- Extended half-life through protection from enzymatic degradation
- Improved membrane permeability
The action mechanism remains identical to P21: activation of the CNTF receptor pathway with stimulation of neurogenesis in the hippocampus and subventricular zone. Direct comparison data between P21 and P21-Adamantane are however very limited - the adamantane variant is newer and less well characterized.
Typical application is subcutaneous or intranasal, possibly also oral with better bioavailability than the unmodified P21.
You can order P21-Adamantane as lyophilized peptide in 10-pack at 10mg per vial.
This information is for research and educational purposes only. No medical recommendations.
Risks & Safety
P21-Adamantane is described as well tolerated per study reports. The profile follows the parent compound P21, though the adamantane variant itself is newer and less well characterized.
Observed in research and user reports:
- Application site: with subcutaneous or intranasal use, mild redness or irritation at the application site is the most common observation.
- Neurogenic action: the compound activates CNTF receptor pathways and stimulates neurogenesis in animal models, a biologically active intervention in central plasticity pathways.
- Adamantane modification: the adamantane group increases lipophilicity and CNS penetration, which may amplify the effect but makes additional data on the modified form very limited.
- No human data: direct comparison studies against P21 are very limited, and robust human studies and long-term data do not exist.
This classification does not replace medical advice. Risk and responsibility for any actual use lie entirely with the buyer.
Studies
- Neurotrophic peptides incorporating adamantane improve learning and memory, promote neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity in mice - FEBS Letters 2010, Li et al: key paper on the adamantane modification - P021 was built from a CNTF tetrapeptide by C-terminal 3-aminoadamantane-1-carboxylic acid, with improved BBB penetration and stability.
- Disease modifying effect of chronic oral treatment with a neurotrophic peptidergic compound in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease - Neurobiology of Disease 2014, Kazim et al: chronic oral dosing of the adamantane variant P021 in the 3xTg-AD model shows disease-modifying effect.
- Early neurotrophic pharmacotherapy rescues developmental delay and Alzheimer’s-like memory deficits in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down syndrome - Scientific Reports 2017, Kazim et al: P021 rescues developmental and memory deficits in the Down syndrome model.
- Prevention of dendritic and synaptic deficits and cognitive impairment with a neurotrophic compound - Alzheimer’s Research and Therapy 2017, Baazaoui et al: P021 prevents dendritic and synaptic deficits in an AD model.
- Effects of a ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) small-molecule peptide mimetic in an in vitro and in vivo model of CDKL5 deficiency disorder - Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 2024, Mottolese et al: most recent characterization of P021 in an additional neurodevelopmental model.
