An ultra-potent cognitive enhancer that drives synaptogenesis through HGF/c-Met pathway activation.
A small peptide-derived compound that potentiates hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activity at its receptor c-Met. HGF/c-Met signalling drives synaptogenesis — the formation of new synaptic connections between neurons — in the hippocampus and cortex. Animal models show cognitive enhancement several orders of magnitude more potent than BDNF.
Dihexa was developed at Washington State University by Joseph Harding and colleagues. In published animal studies it reversed cognitive deficits in rat models of Alzheimer's disease and improved spatial memory in aged animals with potency far exceeding other known nootropics.
The long half-life (days in some tissues) and unusual potency require careful dosing in research protocols. Weekly administration has been studied in animal models.