Davunetide

clinical trials

Also known as: NAP, AL-108

Davunetide (NAP, AL-108) is an eight-amino-acid peptide fragment derived from the activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP). Its primary mechanism of action involves binding to and stabilizing microtubules, thereby promoting cytoskeletal integrity and neuronal survival. This microtubule-stabilizing effect is thought to counteract tau pathology and axonal transport deficits, which are central to neurodegenerative diseases. Additionally, davunetide has been shown to modulate synaptic plasticity and reduce oxidative stress in preclinical models. Key research findings from 78 PubMed-indexed studies indicate that davunetide improves cognitive function and reduces tau hyperphosphorylation in animal models of tauopathy. In clinical trials, it demonstrated safety and tolerability, with some evidence of cognitive benefit in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and schizophrenia. However, a Phase II/III trial in PSP did not meet its primary endpoint, though secondary analyses suggested potential efficacy in subgroups. Ongoing research continues to explore its utility in tauopathies and neuropsychiatric disorders. Clinically, davunetide has been investigated for conditions involving microtubule dysfunction, including PSP, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizophrenia. While not yet approved for any indication, it represents a promising candidate for neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Further trials are needed to confirm efficacy and identify optimal patient populations. For research purposes only — not medical advice.

Key data

Category
Cognitive & Neuroprotective
Molecular weight
824.9 g/mol
Molecular formula
C36H60N10O12
CAS number
211439-12-2
Administration
intranasal
Research status
clinical trials
References
82
Tags
tau, microtubule, neuroprotective

Research & studies

Systemic davunetide provides sex-specific neuroprotection during Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
Translational psychiatry · 2025 · PubMed

Differential davunetide metabolism/bioavailability was observed between men and women, with potential dose-dependent accumulation in men and decline/no concentration change in women over time.; Davunetide showed apparent neuroprotective effects, linked to reduced brain cell death as indicated by neuron-specific enolase (NSE) blood content.; In men, neuroprotection was associated with cognitive function increases in the treated group versus placebo, reaching healthy control levels in the Verbal Paired Associates II test.; Findings emphasize the importance of sex-specific brain medicine, though results require caution due to small cohort size.

Intranasal NAP (Davunetide): Neuroprotection and circadian rhythmicity
Advanced drug delivery reviews · 2025 · PubMed

NAP enhances microtubule stability and prevents tauopathy in preclinical models.; Intranasal delivery of NAP is safe, bioavailable, and shows potential cognitive benefits in clinical studies.; In a phase II-III trial for progressive supranuclear palsy, NAP significantly slowed disease progression in women.; ADNP deficiency is compensated by NAP, highlighting its role in regulating circadian rhythms and tauopathy pathways.

Davunetide sex-dependently boosts memory in prodromal Alzheimer's disease
Translational psychiatry · 2024 · PubMed

Men had significant dose-dependent cognitive increases in delayed visual matching to sample.; Women showed a low-dose placebo effect and high-dose davunetide improvement in digit span working memory.; Anxiety correlated with cognition in opposite ways between sexes, with women showing significant correlations in delayed matching.

Integrated ribosome and proteome analyses reveal insights into sevoflurane-induced long-term social behavior and cognitive dysfunctions through ADNP inhibition in neonatal mice
Zoological research · 2024 · PubMed

ADNP was significantly downregulated in neonatal mice after sevoflurane exposure.; Sevoflurane reduced dendrite number, spine density, and synaptic protein expression in the ACC.; Davunetide treatment reversed synaptic defects, social behavior deficits, and cognitive impairments.; Mechanistically, ADNP loss disrupted Ca2+ activity via Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which was restored by davunetide.

Tau, ADNP, and sex
Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.) · 2024 · PubMed

VIP regulates ADNP, linking to the original discovery of ADNP and its active neuroprotective site NAP (davunetide).; Tau-ADNP-NAP interactions are central, with sex influencing these relationships.; The perspective highlights future directions in translational medicine based on these interactions.

Unexpected gender differences in progressive supranuclear palsy reveal efficacy for davunetide in women
Translational psychiatry · 2023 · PubMed

Females on placebo showed dramatic baseline ventricular volume-dependent increases at 52 weeks (r=0.74, P=2.36e-9), while davunetide-treated females showed no such effects.; Davunetide slowed female disease progression, with significant protection on the SEADL scale by 39 weeks (P=0.008) and on bulbar/limb motor domains by 52 weeks (P=0.01).; The Geriatric Depression Scale correlated with SEADL deterioration in female placebo group, and davunetide provided protection in females.; Men showed significantly slower disease progression overall, highlighting sex-based efficacy differences.

Microtubule stabilising peptides: new paradigm towards management of neuronal disorders
RSC medicinal chemistry · 2023 · PubMed

Microtubule defects and dysregulation are linked to neurological disorders such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease.; Microtubule-stabilising agents, including peptides, show potential for treating neurodegenerative conditions.; Davunetide, a microtubule-stabilising octapeptide, has advanced to phase II clinical trials for schizophrenia.; This review provides an updated systematic summary of peptides acting as microtubule-stabilising agents.

Rational Discovery of Microtubule-Stabilizing Peptides
Journal of chemical information and modeling · 2022 · PubMed

Four peptides (HAPVSIHQ, NYPVSIHQ, NWPVSIWQ, HAPVSIIQ) showed in vitro microtubule-stabilizing activity, with NWPVSIWQ (P43) and HAPVSIIQ (P52) being most active.; P43 and P52 bind to nonpolymeric tubulin, verified by tryptophan quenching assays.; Computational analysis highlighted Arg278, Gln281, and Arg369 as key residues for peptide recognition.; P43 and P52 were non-toxic in HEK cell viability experiments.

Frequently asked questions

What is Davunetide?

Davunetide (NAP, AL-108) is an eight-amino-acid peptide fragment derived from the activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP). Its primary mechanism of action involves binding to and stabilizing microtubules, thereby promoting cytoskeletal integrity and neuronal survival. This microtubule-stabilizing effect is th

How does Davunetide work?

8-aa fragment of activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) that stabilizes microtubules; trialed in PSP and schizophrenia.

What is the research status of Davunetide?

Davunetide is currently classified as clinical trials, with 82 research references on record. This is for research purposes only and is not medical advice.

What is the molecular weight of Davunetide?

Davunetide has a molecular weight of approximately 824.9 g/mol (formula C36H60N10O12).

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