BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)

Reference ranges

No reference ranges recorded for this biomarker yet.

Peptide relevance

Neural growth factor critical for neuroplasticity, memory formation, and synaptic function. NO HARMONIZED REFERENCE RANGE — different ELISA assays and labs report wildly different values (some report 8-46 ng/mL, others 1-20 ng/mL, others normalize to platelet count since platelets are the primary BDNF reservoir). Useful for tracking the effects of nootropic / neural peptides: selank, semax, dihexa, P21, cerebrolysin, NSI-189 — all theorized to raise BDNF. Cerebrolysin has the strongest documented effect. Exercise (especially aerobic) is the strongest non-peptide BDNF elevator. KEY INTERPRETATION: track CHANGE over time within the same assay/lab rather than absolute values; cross-lab comparisons are meaningless without method standardization. Order from specialty labs (Boston Heart, certain reference labs) — not in standard wellness panels.

Peptides that influence this marker

Documented to affect this marker. Click through for the full evidence-tiered profile.

• Cerebrolysin
  Porcine-derived neuropeptide mixture

  Strongest documented BDNF effect among neural peptides; clinical data in stroke recovery

• Dihexa
  HGF / c-Met agonist (cognitive)

  HGF-mimetic; BDNF effects largely theoretical and animal-data-driven

• P21
  CNTF mimetic (cognitive)

  Theoretical BDNF support; very limited human data

• Selank
  Synthetic tuftsin analog (heptapeptide)

  Documented BDNF upregulation in Russian research; magnitude uncertain in humans

• Semax
  Synthetic ACTH(4-10) analog (heptapeptide)

  Documented BDNF upregulation in animal models; sparse human data