Cognitive · Research Phase
Spadin
No lawful US pathway
01 · Overview
Spadin is a 17-amino acid peptide derived from the propeptide released during maturation of sortilin, also known as neurotensin receptor 3 (PMID 30291907, PMID 20405001). It blocks the TREK-1 two-pore domain potassium channel, a target implicated in depression, binding TREK-1 with nanomolar affinity in cell and brain-slice studies (PMID 20405001).
Later electrophysiology work suggested spadin acts more selectively, antagonizing arachidonic acid-induced activation of TREK-1 rather than blocking basal channel activity (PMID 32317978). This offers a proposed antidepressant mechanism distinct from monoamine reuptake inhibition.
02 · Research summary & key findings
In mice, a 4-day intravenous course of spadin produced antidepressant-like effects in behavioral tests and increased hippocampal CREB phosphorylation and neurogenesis, markers normally seen only after weeks of SSRI treatment (PMID 20405001). A review notes that spadin's in vivo stability is short, prompting development of shortened analogs with stronger TREK-1 inhibition and longer activity in animal models (PMID 30291907). Sortilin-derived propeptide levels have been measured in the serum of depressed patients as a possible biomarker (PMID 30670975), but no clinical trials of spadin as a treatment in humans have been published; evidence is from animal and cell studies only.
03 · Regulatory status
Spadin is in the research phase with limited clinical data in humans. Current evidence is primarily derived from preclinical (animal or in vitro) studies.
No lawful pathway today
Spadin is not FDA-approved and does not currently have a lawful prescription or compounding pathway in the United States, so we do not sell it and will not book a consultation for it. That can change: in 2026 FDA began reviewing several peptides for compounding. If you are working on the goal it is studied for, a licensed clinician can tell you what is lawfully available, which may be something else.
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Looking for a lawful, clinician-prescribed option for cognitive support?
Spadin is a research compound, is not FDA-approved, and has no lawful US compounding pathway, so we do not offer it and no clinician we work with will prescribe it. Products sold online as “research chemicals” are not made or tested to the standards required of medicines. If you are working on cognitive support, a licensed clinician can tell you at a free consultation whether an FDA-approved or lawfully compounded treatment fits you, or whether nothing does.
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04 · Administration routes
- Intravenous
- Intranasal
References
- [1]Spadin, a sortilin-derived peptide, targeting rodent TREK-1 channels: a new concept in the antidepressant drug design PLoS Biol, 2010. PMID 20405001
- [2]Fighting against depression with TREK-1 blockers: Past and future. A focus on spadin Pharmacol Ther, 2019. PMID 30291907
- [3]The Involvement of Sortilin/NTSR3 in Depression as the Progenitor of Spadin and Its Role in the Membrane Expression of TREK-1 Front Pharmacol, 2018. PMID 30670975
- [4]Spadin Selectively Antagonizes Arachidonic Acid Activation of TREK-1 Channels Front Pharmacol, 2020. PMID 32317978
Primary literature
- PubMed: "Spadin"
Peer-reviewed literature indexed by the National Library of Medicine.
- ClinicalTrials.gov: "Spadin"
Registered interventional and observational studies, including status and phase.
- PubChem: "Spadin"
Chemical structure, molecular properties, and bioactivity data.
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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational and research purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. The Peptide Association does not endorse or recommend any specific treatment protocol. See our editorial policy for how this content is produced and reviewed. Clinicians: join the network.