Selank and Semax Alter Brain Connectivity Between Amygdala and Temporal Cortex in Humans
In 52 healthy participants, both Selank and Semax modulated resting-state functional connectivity between the right amygdala and temporal cortex, showing shared and distinct brain network effects.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Both Selank and Semax modulated functional connectivity between right amygdala and right temporal cortex regions (fusiform, inferior/middle temporal, parahippocampal gyri) with both shared and peptide-specific effects.
Key Numbers
52 participants; 3 groups (Selank, Semax, placebo); fMRI at baseline, 5 min, 20 min post-injection
How They Did This
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 52 healthy participants receiving Selank, Semax, or placebo injections, with resting-state fMRI at baseline, 5 min, and 20 min post-injection.
Why This Research Matters
This is the first human fMRI study showing how Selank and Semax change whole-brain connectivity, providing a neurobiological basis for their anxiolytic and cognitive-enhancing effects.
The Bigger Picture
This connects neuropeptide pharmacology to brain network neuroscience, showing that synthetic peptide drugs produce measurable, rapid changes in brain connectivity patterns.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Small sample per group (~17 each); only 20-minute follow-up; resting-state fMRI without cognitive task; healthy participants may not reflect clinical populations.
Questions This Raises
- ?Do these connectivity changes correlate with anxiety reduction or cognitive improvement?
- ?How long do the amygdala connectivity effects persist after injection?
- ?Would patients with anxiety disorders show greater connectivity changes with Selank?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Rapid amygdala connectivity changes Both Selank and Semax altered right amygdala-temporal cortex functional connectivity within 5-20 minutes of injection
- Evidence Grade:
- Randomized placebo-controlled design with objective fMRI outcomes, but small groups and short follow-up limit conclusions about clinical relevance.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2020; Selank and Semax remain primarily used in Russia with limited international clinical trial data.
- Original Title:
- Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.
- Published In:
- Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections, 490(1), 9-11 (2020)
- Authors:
- Panikratova, Ya R(2), Lebedeva, I S(2), Sokolov, O Yu(4), Rumshiskaya, A D, Kupriyanov, D A, Kost, N V, Myasoedov, N F
- Database ID:
- RPEP-05052
Evidence Hierarchy
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Selank and Semax affect the brain?
Both peptides rapidly change connectivity between the amygdala (anxiety center) and temporal cortex (memory/recognition areas), measured by fMRI within 5-20 minutes of injection.
What is the difference between Selank and Semax?
Selank is an anxiolytic peptide and Semax is a nootropic peptide. This study found they have both shared and unique effects on brain connectivity patterns.
Read More on RethinkPeptides
Cite This Study
https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/RPEP-05052APA
Panikratova, Ya R; Lebedeva, I S; Sokolov, O Yu; Rumshiskaya, A D; Kupriyanov, D A; Kost, N V; Myasoedov, N F. (2020). Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.. Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Biological sciences sections, 490(1), 9-11. https://doi.org/10.1134/S001249662001007X
MLA
Panikratova, Ya R, et al. "Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax Effects.." Doklady biological sciences : proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1134/S001249662001007X
RethinkPeptides
RethinkPeptides Research Database. "Functional Connectomic Approach to Studying Selank and Semax..." RPEP-05052. Retrieved from https://rethinkpeptides.com/research/panikratova-2020-functional-connectomic-approach-to
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkPeptides research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.