Semax increases BDNF plasma levels, speeding functional recovery and improving motor performance in ischemic stroke patients

Functional recovery after an ischemic stroke is a major clinical challenge. The brain's capacity for repair and reorganization, known as neuroplasticity, is critical for regaining lost motor skills and daily living activities. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a key protein that supports the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses, playing a vital role in this recovery process. However, post-stroke recovery can be slow and incomplete, and strategies to enhance endogenous repair mechanisms are actively sought. Semax, a neuropeptide with neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties, is being investigated as a potential adjunct to standard rehabilitation therapy to augment these natural recovery pathways by modulating key biomarkers like BDNF.

This study examined 110 patients (43 men, 67 women, mean age 58.0±9.7) recovering from ischemic stroke. Patients were divided into two main groups based on the timing of rehabilitation: early (89±9 days post-stroke) and late (214±22 days post-stroke). Each of these groups was further subdivided into two arms: one receiving a standard rehabilitation regimen plus Semax (6000 mcg/day for 10 days, repeated for 2 courses with a 20-day interval), and a control arm receiving only standard rehabilitation (semax-). Researchers measured plasma BDNF levels, motor performance on the British Medical Research Council scale, and functional independence using the Barthel index at baseline and throughout the study.

Semax administration significantly increased plasma BDNF levels in patients, and these elevated levels were sustained throughout the entire study period, regardless of whether rehabilitation was started early or late. In the control groups (semax-), high BDNF levels were only observed in the group that began rehabilitation early. There was a direct positive correlation between plasma BDNF levels and improvements in the Barthel index score, indicating better functional independence. The timing of rehabilitation also played a role; early rehabilitation correlated positively with motor performance improvement. The study confirmed that the relationship between BDNF levels and functional recovery (Barthel score) was modified by how soon rehabilitation was initiated after the stroke.

Semax treatment, combined with early rehabilitation, was shown to increase BDNF plasma levels, which in turn accelerated functional recovery and improved motor performance outcomes for patients after ischemic stroke.

Written by TitrateLab, separately from the study summarized above.