Selank

Overview

Selank is a synthetic analog of tuftsin, an endogenous tetrapeptide that plays a role in regulating the immune system. Some researchers informally classify Selank as a nootropic—a compound that can enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and increase mental clarity.

Selank was developed in the early 1990s at the Russian Academy of Sciences and has primarily been studied for its anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. It is believed to work by modulating neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. With these mechanisms, Selank can help reduce anxiety and promote a sense of calmness without causing sedation or impairing cognitive function.

In addition to its anxiolytic properties, Selank has also been studied for its potential benefits in reducing pain and inflammation, while enhancing the immune system. It has shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies for the treatment of anxiety disorders, depression, and cognitive impairments.

Selank has profound effects on cognition and is believed to act through the GABAergic system. In rat studies, Selank administration has been shown to alter the gene expression of GABA receptors, causing them to have a greater affinity for GABA. This enhances GABA’s ability to inhibit excitability in the CNS similar to the administration of benzodiazepines—although, crucially, without their associated side effects and addictive potential.

Selank also appears to provide protection against alcohol-induced memory loss that occurs when brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) increases in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. In an experiment where rats were given only alcohol to drink for 30 weeks, rats who were also given Selank performed better on object recognition tasks, did not exhibit the same memory and attention deficits, and did not have increased BDNF compared to the untreated rats.

Memory and Learning

There has long been an association between anxiety and learning/memory. The correlation is a negative one, with increased anxiety leading to decreased ability to recall memories or store new information. Traditional anxiety treatments can reduce this effect, as can Selank, but Selank appears to do more than simply reduce the impact of anxietv on cognitive function. There is good reason to believe that Selank actually boosts cognition directly.

Research in rats trains with food rewards and iniected with either saline or Selank has shown that Selank boosts memory trace stability and thus enhances the memory storage process. It is important to note that this benefit was seen regardless of the anxiety levels of the rats, indicating that the peptide has effects beyond its ability to simply reduce stress-related impairment of memorv.

It appears that Selank may alter memory by affecting the expression of a number of genes in the hippocampus. Research in rats shows changes in mRNA levels of 36 different genes after intranasal administration of Selank. Most of the genes encode proteins associated with the plasma membrane and may therefore modulate ion-dependent processes in learning and memory[1]. Though much research needs to be done to understand the mechanism by which Selank works to improve memory and learning, this research offers a tantalizing early clue to suggest that it alters the way neurons function in such a way that both forming and accessing memories is easier.

Furthermore, research even suggests that Selank can help to rescue memory and learning following damage to the brain. Rats treated with a neurotoxin and then Selank showed restored cognitive processes in at least one study. This effect appears to be related to an artificial inhibition of the catecholamine system in the brain by Selank. There is some hope that Selank will help to shed light on how cognitive function can be restored or at least improved following traumatic brain injury, particularly the kinds of injury that occurring during the birth process.

Anxiety Effects Based on Genes Related to GABA Neurotransmitter

Numerous clinical studies have shown that Selank has strong antianxiety and neuroprotective effects in the treatment of anxiety. The clinical effects of Selank are similar to those of the classical anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepine, which are allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors and increase the inhibitory action of GABA. Like benzodiazepines, low doses of Selank have a sedating effect. Unlike benzodiazepines, Selank does not appear to be habit-forming and does not lead to symptoms of withdrawal or amnesia.

Research in rats shows that of the 84 genes known to be connected to GABA signaling in some way, seven are heavily modulated by Selank and 45 show some change in expression when the peptide is administered. Overall, 52 genes related to GABA signaling are affected by Selank to some dearee. These results indicate that Selank can directly influence the expression of genes in nerve cells and that it likely produces effects by changing the affinity of the GABA receptor for GABA. This alteration of receptor affinity likely explains why Selank is synergistic with benzodiazepines and other GABA receptor agonists.

Pain Management

Research in rats shows that of the 84 genes known to be connected to GABA signaling in some way, seven are heavily modulated by Selank and 45 show some change in expression when the peptide is administered. Overall, 52 genes related to GABA signaling are affected by Selank to some dearee. These results indicate that Selank can directly influence the expression of genes in nerve cells and that it likely produces effects by changing the affinity of the GABA receptor for GABA. This alteration of receptor affinity likely explains why Selank is synergistic with benzodiazepines and other GABA receptor agonists.

References